…….Also Receives NHRC Delegation, Reaffirms Commitment to Professionalism and Human Rights Protection
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday hosted a high-powered delegation from the Senate Committee on Crude Oil Theft at the IGP Smart Conference Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, in a strategic move aimed at curbing crude oil theft across the country’s onshore and offshore facilities.
According to a press release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the delegation, led by the Committee Chairman, Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko, visited the Police leadership as part of their ongoing engagements with key stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s persistent crude oil theft challenge.
Senator Nwoko emphasised that the Committee’s mandate is to bring crude oil theft to an end in order to meet national oil production targets. He stressed the importance of collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, noting that the Committee alone cannot achieve its mandate without strong support from security agencies.
In response, IGP Egbetokun expressed appreciation for the visit and commended the Committee’s dedication to addressing a matter of critical national importance. He reiterated the Police Force’s unwavering commitment to fighting crude oil theft, protecting vital national infrastructure, and ensuring that perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted.
The IGP further directed the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Operations and Force Intelligence to collaborate closely with the Committee to drive actionable outcomes.
In a related development, the IGP also received a delegation from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), led by Dr. Salamatu Husaini Sulaiman, Chairperson of the Commission’s Governing Council, and accompanied by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, and other council members.
The NHRC team engaged the IGP on deepening cooperation in promoting human rights protection, accountability in policing, and addressing allegations of rights violations. Dr. Ojukwu commended the IGP for his commitment to professional standards, particularly the swift disciplinary actions taken against erring officers. He also lauded the recognition given to exemplary officers such as SP Sentome Obi, who was named Police Officer of the Year 2024.
In his remarks, IGP Egbetokun reaffirmed the Police Force’s strong partnership with the NHRC and emphasised that the protection of human rights is a central pillar of modern policing. He noted that human rights education has been fully integrated into all police training institutions to build a more professional and rights-conscious police force. The IGP condemned arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and excessive use of force, stating that such practices have no place in contemporary policing. He assured the delegation that the Force welcomes constructive criticism and feedback as tools for institutional growth and improvement.
