The President of the Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade (Dr.) Kehinde Prince Taiga, has raised concerns over the widespread allocation of police escorts to individuals with dubious backgrounds. He called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to introduce profiling measures for private citizens requesting police escorts to ensure only deserving individuals benefit from such security resources.
In a statement from Warri, Taiga highlighted that “Yahoo Boys,” money launderers, and land grabbers often use their wealth to secure police escorts, which they then use to oppress others and evade accountability. He emphasized that this situation diverts crucial security resources away from the general population, exacerbating Nigeria’s security manpower deficit.
Appeal for Judicial and Police Reforms
Taiga also criticized the police and judiciary for allegedly prioritizing wealthy individuals over the public good, accusing them of favoring the rich in both criminal and civil cases. He urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to initiate reforms to restore fairness in the justice system and end preferential treatment based on wealth.
Ember Months and Police Misconduct
With the festive season approaching, Taiga advised IGP Egbetokun to address potential misconduct by police officers, who may seek to exploit citizens out of financial desperation. He noted that professionalism from the police is crucial, especially given the current economic challenges facing the Nigerian people, to maintain public trust and prevent further hardship.
