Look at Your Responsibilities Before Criticising Govt, Egbetokun Tells Nigerians

Sunday Aborisade, Linus Aleke in Abuja and Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday, told Nigerians to start looking at their responsibilities before setting out to criticize the government.
Egbetokun, who was a guest lecturer at the University of Ibadan, 2024 Convocation Lecture, held at the Trenchard Hall, however, identified corruption as the bane of good governance in the country.
In another development, the Police Service Commission (PSC), has cautioned men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), against unlawful arrest, torture, cruelty, inhuman or degrading treatment of suspect in their custody.
This was as a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has condemned the arrest and prosecution of a woman, Hamdiya  Sidi, in Sokoto by the police for lamenting incessant killings by bandits.
While stressing that security was the responsibility of all and sundry, he also noted that citizens’ responsibilities were the backbone of democracy and good governance.
Addressing the lecture titled: “Unlocking Progress: The Indispensable Trio of Security, Governance, and Citizens’ Responsibilities”, he  maintained that governance referred to the processes and structures that guide how power is exercised, decision are made and public resources managed for the benefit of all.
Egbetokun who linked poor governance to corruption, said in 2022, Nigeria was ranked 150th out of 180 countries on the corruption Perception index, stressing that citizens have both constitutional and moral responsibilities that are essential in strengthening and maintaining the balance between governance and security.
He stated that responsible citizens would lead to responsible government, noting that there was need for Nigerians to start looking at their responsibilities as a good citizens of the country before criticising the government.
According to him, Nigerians continue blaming the government but failed to pay attention to what they can do as a responsible citizens of the nation for her development and stability.
The police boss maintained that national progress can be achieved only when governance structures were transparent, security ensured through collaboration between law enforcement and citizens, and citizens actively participate in upholding both legal and moral standards.
He insisted that the synergy between security, governance and citizens responsibilities was essential for sustainable development.
“Security enables governance by creating a stable environment, governance promotes security through effective policies and citizens ensured both participating in Democratic process,” he said.
 PSC Cautions NPF against Unlawful Arrest,
The Police Service Commission (PSC), has cautioned personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), against unlawful arrest, torture, cruelty, inhuman or degrading treatment of suspect in their custody.
This warning came weeks after the arraignment of hunger-stricken minors at a high court in Abuja by the Nigerian police force.
The trial of the minors, who were accused of treasonable felony attracted public outrage against federal government and the police. The federal government had since withdrawn the charges and released them.
But piqued by the embarrassment caused by the development,  Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu, said the commission, had commenced a capacity building of personnel on international human rights-based policing and effective oversight.

A statement by Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani said the capacity building was organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Chairman the Commission said all over the world, police officers generally have broad powers to carry out their functions and duties.

But he noted that the constitution as amended and other procedural laws placed limits on how far the police could go in trying to enforce the law.

According to him, one of the primary purposes of such laws was to protect citizens from abuses by government, including police misconduct.