Reps Will Ensure Policing System Works For All Citizens – Gbajabiamila

NOVEMBER 19, 2020

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has assured that the 9th House will ensure a policing system that works for all citizens in view of the recent #EndSARS protests.

Gbajabiamila said to achieve the above, the House will carry out a wholesale reform of the Nigeria Police from recruitment to training and welfare of officers and men of the police.

Addressing stakeholders at the 9th House Legislative Agenda Public Policy Dialogue Series with the theme ‘Policing and Human Rights in Nigeria,’ the Speaker called on all well-meaning Nigerians to make their inputs toward the enactment of the Police Service Commission (Reform) Bill, 2020.

Read also: #EndSARS: Gbaja Pledges Support For Protest, Assures Release Of Those Detained

“Our reform objectives include wholesale reviews of police recruitment and training procedures and practices,” he was quoted to have said in a statement by his media aide.

According to the Speaker, the issue of Police Reform has been one of the fundamental commitments of the 9th House since its inauguration.

“This is because we recognise that the policing function is at the very heart of any fully functioning state. It is through the institution, mechanisms and resources of policing that the state can protect the welfare and wellbeing of its citizens.

“Without the ability to offer this protection, the state loses legitimacy and the authority that flows from there. A society that cannot effectively police itself ceases to exist, and a government that fails to protect its citizens has lost the right to continue in office. We must avoid these unfortunate outcomes.

“This is why we must commend the present administration which inherited a flawed policing system and is now taking giant steps to reform the system through the recently enacted Police Reform Act, 2020 and several other measures. But the work is far from done, and we must continue in these efforts”, he said.