Demand to End Police Harassment and Extortion in Nigeria
Subject: Public Petition to Stop Police Harassment and Extortion in Nigeria.
To Whom It May Concern, We, the undersigned citizens of Nigeria, hereby submit this public petition to address the alarming issue of police harassment and extortion that has plagued our communities. The grounds for this petition are as follows:
1. **Indiscriminate Arrests of Youths and Passers-by:** The Nigerian police have been conducting indiscriminate arrests of youths and innocent passers-by, often without proper cause or evidence of wrongdoing. This practice has instilled fear and anxiety in the community, leading to a breakdown of trust between law enforcement and the public.
2. **Illegal Roadblocks and Extortion of Motorists at Gunpoint:** Police officers have been setting up illegal roadblocks on highways and local roads, where they extort money from motorists at gunpoint. This blatant abuse of power not only violates the rights of citizens but also poses a serious threat to public safety and security.
3. **Collection of Large Sums of Money for Bail:** Detainees who are arrested, often without any formal charge or evidence of a crime, are subjected to extortion by police officers who demand exorbitant sums of money for their release on bail. This practice exploits vulnerable individuals and perpetuates a culture of corruption within the law enforcement agencies.
4. **Unlawful Searching of Travellers and Seizure of Phones:** Police officers engage in unlawful searches of travellers, violating their privacy rights and personal dignity. Furthermore, the arbitrary seizure of phones and personal belongings without proper justification is a clear violation of individual liberties and freedoms.
5. **Other Forms of Extortion and Harassment:** In addition to the aforementioned issues, there have been reports of various other forms of extortion, harassment, and abuse of power by police officers, leading to a widespread sense of fear, insecurity, and injustice in our communities.
We, the undersigned, call for immediate action to address these grave violations of human rights and restore trust in our law enforcement agencies. We demand:
- An end to indiscriminate arrests and harassment of youths and innocent civilians.
- The dismantling of illegal roadblocks and extortion rackets operated by police officers.
- Accountability for officers involved in extortion, bribery, and other forms of corruption.
- The implementation of strict measures to prevent unlawful searches and seizures of personal property.
- The compulsory use of bodycam and name tags police numbers by all active duty police officers.
- Comprehensive reforms within the Nigerian Police Force to promote transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
We urge the relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Police Force, the National Human Rights Commission, and other relevant agencies, to take immediate and decisive action to address these pressing issues and ensure that justice is served for all victims of police harassment and extortion. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Allwell Ndubuaku 08033058892
Allwell Chinagorom Ndubuaku Contact the author of the petition