In order to improve service delivery and expand the reach of the Nigeria Police Force’s Complaint Response Unit (CRU), the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, is partnering with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
This information was contained in a statement made available to the press in Abuja on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The statement explained that as a result, the IGP has approved the establishment of CRU offices in Enugu, Kano, Rivers States, and the expansion of the Lagos CRU office, ultimately making justice and accountability more accessible to the public.
According to the statement, “The Complaints Response Unit (CRU) has been instrumental in addressing public grievances and concerns related to police misconduct, human rights violations, and other issues in Nigeria.
“With the generous support and collaboration of the United Nations, the IGP is taking a significant step toward decentralizing and expanding CRU’s presence across the country in line with the provisions of Section 131 of the Police Act 2020.
“This expansion is a vital part of the IGP’s commitment to fostering a more transparent, accountable, and responsive policing system, and aligning with international best practices by significantly reducing the barriers faced by citizens when reporting issues. It will also expedite the resolution process.
It added that “consequently, the project will involve an outreach program whose primary objective is to develop effective strategies and modalities that will facilitate the expansion of CRU services to underserved rural communities and individuals with limited access.
According to it, “To achieve this, interactive Town Hall meetings in each of the four states, which will bring together 20 relevant stakeholders from these states as identified by the respective commands, have been scheduled.
“These sessions will provide a platform for open discussions and collaborations aimed at improving community-police relations and service quality.
The town hall meetings will take place in Kano State on October 23rd; Lagos on October 25th; Rivers on October 31st; and in Enugu State on November 8th, 2023.
The Inspector General of Police remains steadfast in his commitment to nurturing positive community relations and ensuring the delivery of top-notch policing services to the public, with an emphasis on addressing issues of professional misconduct and other forms of infractions.
He urges residents of the concerned states to cooperate with the Nigeria Police to establish an efficient Complaint Response process in the affected states for improved policing, while assuring that the CRU will promote trust, transparency, and accountability in the police force and enhance the government’s capacity to address human rights violations.
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