The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has made a strong appeal to President Bola Tinubu to reinforce the withdrawal of police guards from Very Important Persons (VIPs) through an official executive order.
Call for Executive Action
In a significant move toward police reform, HURIWA insists that President Tinubu should follow through with a formal executive order that clearly outlines the procedure for removing police security operatives from private individuals who currently pay for these services. The rights organization emphasizes that this legal framework is essential for proper implementation.
The group proposed strict consequences for non-compliance, suggesting that any violation of the order should lead to automatic termination of the Commissioner of Police serving in the area where infractions occur. Furthermore, HURIWA recommends that the Inspector General of Police should also face penalties if the policy fails to be properly enforced across the nation.
Historical Implementation Failures
According to HURIWA's National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, previous Nigerian presidents have issued similar directives to withdraw police protection from VIPs, but the execution has consistently fallen short. The organization highlights that without proper enforcement mechanisms, such policies remain largely ineffective.
HURIWA specifically recommended that the executive order should include a clear timeline for the complete withdrawal process and establish definite penalties for police chiefs who fail to adhere to the new regulations. This structured approach aims to prevent the implementation gaps that have plagued previous attempts at police reform.
Criticism of Boko Haram Reintegration
The rights group also voiced strong opposition to the government's ongoing reintegration and deradicalisation program for former Boko Haram terrorists. HURIWA noted that numerous communities across Nigeria continue to harbor deep resentment toward these individuals, creating social tension and security concerns.
The organization described the continuous implementation of this program as a crime against humanity, arguing that it undermines counter-terrorism efforts and fails to hold terrorists accountable for their actions. HURIWA maintains that a government's primary responsibility is to protect the lives and property of its citizens, which they believe is compromised by the current approach to former insurgents.
The statement from HURIWA comes at a time when Nigeria faces ongoing security challenges, and the organization believes that redirecting police resources from VIP protection to general public security would significantly enhance safety for all citizens rather than a privileged few.
