Read the press release from the Nigeria Police Force below…
The attention of the Nigeria Police has been drawn to an on-line publication entitled ‘Welcome to Hell-Fire’: torture and other ill-treatment in Nigeria.
While we do not question the freedom of Amnesty International to earn its relevance and bread, the Nigeria Police takes serious exceptions to some blatant falsehoods and innuendoes contained in that report.
For one, it smacks of indecency and intemperate language to liken our dear nation Nigeria, to hell fire. That cannot be true. We believe that Nigeria is a growing nation, green and largely peaceful.
While the Nigeria Police and other operators in the criminal justice sector are undergoing systematic reforms, and aligning themselves with the demands of democracy, there is no gain saying the fact that the Nigeria Police Force has since improved its operational efficiency and effectiveness. Since the dawn of democracy in 1999, the Nigeria Police Force has significantly improved on its human rights records, owing largely to training and re-training, community policing, attitudinal change and structural transformation.
In its report under reference, Amnesty International did admit in its methodology that it visited some Police Formations and interviewed some family members of suspects. At no time in its report, did Amnesty speak or interface with the Police authorities. This obviously shows their disdain and apparent lack of character where the democratic tenets of fair hearing are concerned.
The report covered a seven year period of 2007-2014. I dare say that some of the issues raised have since been dispensed with and settled.
Of a truth, torture or ill-treatment is not, repeat, NOT an official policy of the Nigeria Police.
The Code of Conduct of Officers, as well as our Regulations prohibit torture and incivility to members of the public. We are versed with international best practices, and the dictates of the Nigerian Constitution as regards human rights. So the Police do not routinely torture suspects. It is not systemic or endemic. Whenever instances of human rights abuses are brought to the notice of superintending officers, the offending personnel are promptly sanctioned in line with the laws and regulations. For the avoidance of doubt, Nigeria Police Force has a zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of power. There is no Immunity for impunity in Nigeria Police Force.
Besides, the Nigeria Police is women-friendly. We do not target sex workers, nor routinely adopt rape as a weapon. Instead, the Police has established a family and human trafficking unit to protect the rights of women, children and the vulnerable members of our society.
However, the Nigeria Police Force shall meticulously scan through the document, and investigate any current human rights abuses linked to any officer or formation. Any identified and established case of malfeasance or misconduct shall be treated in line with the laws and regulations.
We crave the indulgence of Amnesty International to, for the first time, furnish the Police with specific details of its allegations to enable us reach the ends of justice for the alleged victims, and to improve our service delivery.
The Nigeria Police Force remains responsive to the yearnings of Nigerians for improved safety and security.
The Police is your helper and friend.
Ag.CP EMMANUEL OJUKWU, psc
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.

SOURCE => http://naijashine.com.ng

The Nigerian Police should just shut up, if someone published a report and 80% of the readers agree with it, why the childish tantrums instead of letting the public vindicate you if actually you have address any of the issues raised

I wasnt expective an acceptance speech from. What would that make them if they accept. The ill in the system no be today e start

Oh please.....we did not amnesty international to tell us. Everyone on the street knows that "police is not your friend" torture is part and parcel of our police force

We no need anybody to tell us say police for naija na torture-happy nonentities!

If person steal maggi, dem go handcuff am, before dem reach police truck, the back of his head go dey hot from slaps from those their palms wey be like plank!

By the time the thief get down from the truck, he go dey limp because dem for don finish am on the way, if the thief wan plead sef, u go realise say like 3 teeth don dey miss.

Now, to the real deal..
Dem don knw say na maggi he steal, but dem go still like torture am. Dem go take am inside room, beat am, slap am, give am raking, whip am..cellotape am for wall, nail am like Jesus and so on.

After the guy come dey wonder say abi e get another thing wey I do wey dem no tell me ni? The police go come ask am the question wey dey make dem torture am:
Dem go come say;

Mr. Man, why u go steal maggi? We are charging you to court for thievery!