Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has cautioned the Nigeria Police Force to steer clear of the crises bedeviling Rivers and Kano states to advance the rule of law and security in the country.
While providing security to lives and property, the group cautioned the NPF against behaving like alternative governments in states that are controlled by opposition parties, reminding it that that it is a creation of the Constitution, and must not serve political interests.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the rights group alleged that the actions of the police in both states have demonstrated that it had a predilection for advancing a particular powerful interest at the detriment of harmony, security and rule of law.
HURIWA said: “We have watched with rapt attention, the deteriorating security situation in Rivers State and one fact is clear that the police has entered the political fray as partisan agents detailed from the nation’s capital to protect the political interests of the erstwhile intransigent local council chairmen, whose tenure reportedly expired even as the Rivers State governor immediately made replacements. The police can’t operate in opposition to the legitimately elected state government in Rivers and Kano states.”
