By Aisha Gambo
An NGO, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), on Thursday organised a training to educate journalists on issues related to human rights, the Police Act 2020 and regulations, to deepening understanding of the police governance.
The training, which was held in Kano, was attended by journalists from the North-West states and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PWAN, also known as "The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative", is dedicated to enhancing citizens’ participation and improving security governance in Nigeria and West Africa broadly.
The PWAN Programme Officer, Hajiya Aisha Yusuf, said in Kano that the town hall meeting was an essential step to strengthening trust, transparency, and accountability between law enforcement agencies and the communities.
"Today's town hall meeting serves as an opportunity for us to unpack the critical provisions of the Police Act 2020 and its innovations.
"Explore the role of the media in fostering responsible and rights-based reporting on sensitive issues like arrests, stop-and-search, and profiling," she said.
She said that actionable strategies to bridge gaps in understanding and implementation of the act across Nigeria would be discussed.
Earlier, Mr. Sani Ammani, who presented a slide on the Police Act 2020 and Regulations, explained some of the objectives of the Act, which included responsiveness, equity, justice and fairness.
He added that respect for the dignity of persons, safeguarding the fundamental rights of Nigerians, as well as cooperation and partnership between the police and communities were part of the objectives of the Act.
According to him, one of the police duties was to conduct investigations and make arrest with or without arrest warrant as well as write statements.
On her part, Ms. Maryam Rabi'u, who spoke on the role of the media in promoting awareness of the Nigeria Police Act, said the media can conduct investigative reporting and public awareness to inform citizens about their rights.
She added that journalists should also facilitate dialogue, monitor implementation of the Act and report success stories of police officers who abide by the new Act.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State on Community Policing, Hajiya Maryam Umar, said that the government was sensitising the public through the media and such town hall meetings on security issues.
She explained that citizens were now reporting cases of suspected criminals, saying that has helped authorities to reduce crime rates in the state.
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