By Abubakar Yunusa
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is advocating for the criminalization of heinous acts committed by rogue police officers through legislation by the National Assembly.
The group also calls upon the substantive Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, to implement transparent mechanisms and an effective template to combat the extortion of crime victims.
In a statement released on Sunday, HURIWA, through its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, expresses dissatisfaction with the mere verbal condemnation of criminal tendencies by police operatives, emphasizing the need for concrete action.
Onwubiko proposes the establishment of a comprehensive data bank documenting police officers caught and sanctioned for extorting crime victims, making it easily accessible to the public.
HURIWA is currently in discussions with lawmakers and reputable civil rights groups to draft a proposed bill criminalizing extortion of crime victims in Nigeria
The organization highlights the deeply rooted nature of this crime within the Nigerian police force, including highly decorated officers.
HURIWA emphasizes that addressing the issue of police extortion is crucial for rebuilding public trust and confidence, thereby fostering better policing in Nigeria.
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