Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has said only five per cent of bad elements in the Nigeria Police Force was responsible for the negative perception of the Force, adding that the unprofessional conduct of the few bad eggs was damaging police’s reputation.
The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan, stated this while hosting a delegation from the Inspector-General of Police’s Complaint Response Unit (IGP-CRU), led by its Acting Head, SP Fidelix Jonah, at the PCRC headquarters in Abuja.
“We have resolved that we will redouble our efforts 1,000 times to make the policing system easier in this country. What the IGP wants is a single police force that will protect the rights of citizens.
“And by rejuvenating the IGP-CRU, we can see this in action. The bad eggs in the Nigeria Police Force are just five per cent, I can say. I have no apology.”
Addressing the delegation, the National Chairman said, “We are satisfied with the way you are piloting the affairs of the CRU. We know that, amongst the little five per cent, the fear of the CRU is the beginning of wisdom. You people are doing a very good job. We are proud of you.
“We have an appeal. During the course of your work, you will receive a lot of petitions, some of which will be genuine. But you will also receive some false information from members of the public.
“We want to appeal to you: any member of the public who gives you false information against any police officer, please, we beg you in the name of God, we want you to prosecute them.”
The Acting Head of the IGP-CRU, SP Fidelix Jonah, clarified that the CRU was not established to witch-hunt officers, but that the unit sought to address misconduct.
He said other objectives of the unit were to protect innocent officers and civilians, improve professionalism, enhance accountability and build confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.