The Lead Generation Initiative (LGI), a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organization, yesterday visited the Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, in his office at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to lend its voice against police brutality and abuse of human rights which formed the basis for the ongoing “ENDSAR” protest in the country.
The LGI delegation led by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Hon. Shina Peller, was warmly received by the Honourable Minister who admitted that most of the programmes of the Initiative align with his Ministry’s policies and programmes.
Speaking through its Executive Director, Mrs. Ayobola Peller, the LGI presented its requests and recommendations to the Honourable Minister, which included asking him to use his office to open a sustained channel of engagement with the Nigerian Police Force for the purpose of curbing cases of abuse of human rights by the police officers.
Furthermore, the LGI recommended that there should emergency centres across the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through which reports of police harassment on youth can be periodically made.
In the same vein, the LGI requested that the Minister initiates a Police-Citizens Engagement Monitoring Team which shall be a coalition of civil society organizations working to report cases of police extortion and brutality.
Similarly, the LGI recommended that there should a policy for rewarding citizens who expose corrupt police officers as well as policy to give freedom to citizens to capture snapshots of corrupt practices of the police officers at checkpoints without being harassed.
Importantly, the LGI recommended that there should be a continuous push for proper funding, remuneration and insurance for police officers, adding that welfare of the police officers cannot continue to be compromised if the country wants the best from them.
The LGI also recommended that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development should collaborate with the Police, Human Rights Commission, religious organizations, traditional rulers and other relevant bodies to hold a town-hall meeting where all will sign a peace accord to calm the nerves of citizens.
Reacting to the numerous requests and recommendations made by the LGI, the Honourable Minister appreciated the leadership of the Initiative for what he described as a timely visit, whilst he described its recommendations as practical and sustainable solutions to the current social security situation in the country.
