The Police Service Commission (PSC) has issued a stern warning to police officers engaged in human rights violations in Nigeria’s Southeast region, threatening dismissal for those operating outside approved boundaries.
Speaking through the Commission’s spokesman Ikechukwu Ani at the SouthEast Stakeholders Summit on Peace and Security in Enugu, PSC Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd) expressed grave concern over escalating reports of police misconduct in the region. The summit, which included a public hearing on human rights violations, brought together key stakeholders to address mounting security challenges in the Southeast.
“The Commission is aware of serious human rights violations by some misguided police officers in the Southeast, who, against the Commission’s several warnings to stay away from civil matters, have continued to swim in it because of the financial attraction,” Argungu stated. He noted that police officers have been repeatedly instructed to avoid involvement in land disputes, debt collection, marital conflicts, and other civil matters that courts should handle.
The chairman highlighted concern about widespread corruption and extortion at regional security checkpoints.
“The roadblocks mounted by these security agencies have, unfortunately, turned into toll gates where road users are forced under gunpoint to part with money,” he said, describing a systematic pattern of abuse that has severely impacted the free movement of people and goods.
Argungu characterised the Eastern Region as having become “the unofficial headquarters of human rights violations” while simultaneously facing significant security challenges. He noted the ongoing threat from militant groups, describing them as “brainwashed youths from this zone masquerading as freedom fighters and killing their brothers and sisters.”
The Commission’s new hard-line stance represents a significant shift in enforcement strategy, with Argungu promising swift disciplinary action against officers who violate human rights or engage in unauthorised activities.
“The Commission will henceforth not hesitate to put its disciplinary processes in motion to see to the dismissal of errant officers who have found it difficult to work within approved boundaries,” he declared.
During the summit, the PSC Chairman also praised Enugu State Governor Dr. Peter Mbah for his efforts to improve security in the region, particularly noting the state’s success in ending the controversial Monday sit-at-home orders that had previously paralysed economic activities across the Southeast.
The Commission expressed its commitment to supporting regional authorities in addressing security challenges, with Argungu pledging to work collaboratively to “comprehensively free the zone of banditry, crime, and criminality and other emerging security menace in the southeast of Nigeria.”
Following extensive deliberations, participants agreed on several key recommendations. A Human Rights Bureau will be established, alongside a collaborative security framework. The summit also called for a structured legal framework with dedicated lawyers to handle proceedings and ensure accountability.
Other major recommendations included strengthening arms control measures, enhancing border security and intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and implementing robust community policing strategies. The summit emphasised the importance of civic engagement and public awareness campaigns.
The recommendations also addressed the need to regulate state-backed security outfits and ensure they operate within human rights frameworks. Participants called for better compensation for police officers and measures to address their economic well-being.
The summit concluded with proposals to honour Civil War victims through commemoration events and educational initiatives, while also addressing concerns about clandestine detention facilities and forced disappearances through enhanced judicial oversight.
This summit comes at a crucial time for Nigeria’s Southeast region, which has faced increasing security challenges in recent years. The PSC’s strong stance against police misconduct indicates a potential turning point in efforts to restore public trust in law enforcement and improve security conditions in the region.
Held in Enugu, historically significant as the colonial capital of Eastern Nigeria, the summit brought together various stakeholders to address these pressing issues. The choice of venue captures the historical and contemporary importance of the region in Nigeria’s security landscape.
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