Divisional Police Officers have been described as the foremost and most vital gateway into the criminal justice system.
This position was highlighted by the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, during a town hall meeting with DPOs in the Federal Capital Territory focused on rights-based policing and oversight.
Represented by the Head of Civil and Political Rights at the Commission, Mr. Halilu Adamu, Ojukwu explained that as leaders of police divisions, DPOs are tasked with receiving complaints, launching investigations, and ensuring adherence to the law within their communities.
He disclosed that the Commission had formally presented the Nigeria Police Regulations 2025, which were officially gazetted in February 2026.
“The NHRC is directly involved in this process and these regulations are not merely administrative rules; but gold standard for professional conduct.
“For you, the DPOs, these updated regulations provide the clarity and protection you need to perform your duties within the bounds of international best practices.
“By adhering to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015., the Anti-Torture Act (2017), and these newly handed-over Regulations, you transition from confession-dependent policing to Intelligence led Policing—a shift that protects both the citizen and the officer from legal liability” he said.
Ojukwu further stressed that safeguarding human rights and ensuring effective policing are inseparable responsibilities.
“Public safety relies on public cooperation, and that cooperation is earned through the consistent respect for human dignity.
“By aligning our methods with the rule of law, we do not just “police” a population; we serve a nation” he said.
He also encouraged officers to openly discuss the operational challenges they encounter within the FCT.
Earlier, Adamu outlined that the central objective of the engagement was to embed a culture of human rights compliance within the FCT Police Command. He noted that the initiative seeks to strengthen legal knowledge and ensure adherence to established laws.
According to him, the session included an in-depth technical review of the Anti-Torture Act (2017) and the ACJA (2015), with emphasis on helping officers understand both personal and institutional consequences of non-compliance.
“To align Divisional-level intake procedures with Section 15 of the ACJA, electronic recording of statements and the mandatory presence of legal counsel during interrogation to eliminate “confessions” obtained through duress” he said.
Adamu added that the programme also aims to promote a shift toward modern investigative practices driven by forensic evidence rather than coercion, while discouraging the use of torture or degrading treatment.
He explained that another key goal of the meeting was to enhance coordination and accountability among justice sector stakeholders. According to him, the forum is designed to foster sustained collaboration between the Police, Legal Aid Council, and the Correctional Service to address congestion in correctional facilities caused by unlawful arrests.
“The meeting, he said, is aimed at establishing a framework for ongoing dialogue between the Police, the Legal Aid Council, and the Correctional Service to prevent “awaiting trial” congestion caused by illegal arrests”.
Speaking on behalf of the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Sanusi, CSP Hiliary Unnug stated that the command remains committed to improving its operations and will adopt new technologies in line with existing laws.
“The command will ensure total compliance for respect of the fundamental rights of citizens and will not hesitate to sanction erring officers ” he said.
Reports indicate that DPOs from all divisions within the FCT attended the session, alongside experts and officials from the Commission’s Civil and Political Rights Department, who delivered presentations on the Anti-Torture Act 2017 and key provisions of the ACJA 2015.
