The Orangun of Oke-Ila Orangun, Oba (Dr.) Adedokun Abolarin has called for a more humane, rights-conscious and technologically equipped Nigeria Police Force, stressing that public trust remains central to effective policing and national security.
Oba Abolarin made the call during his engagement with senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force at the Police Mobile College, Ila Orangun, where he spoke on the theme, “Policing with Humanity.”
Reflecting on the realities confronting police officers across Nigeria, the monarch said challenges such as inadequate funding, insecurity, public anger and declining trust have made the task of policing increasingly difficult.
He, however, urged officers to remain guided by constitutional principles and respect for human rights, noting that the authority vested in law enforcement must be exercised with responsibility and restraint.
Safety
According to Oba Abolarin, “a nation cannot be safe if its people are afraid of those sworn to protect them,” stressing that the constitutional responsibility of government places the security and welfare of citizens at the centre of governance.
He referenced Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
The Orangun identified three principles he said should shape modern policing in Nigeria, beginning with the supremacy of the Constitution over operational practices.
He argued that the Constitution must remain the first manual for police officers, particularly in protecting the rights to life, dignity, liberty, privacy and peaceful protest.
Oba Abolarin also emphasised the importance of lawful bail procedures, declaring that “bail is free” and warning that any form of extortion or illegality in the process could severely damage public confidence in the police.
He noted that a citizen who is exploited by a police officer today may become reluctant to seek police assistance tomorrow, thereby creating a dangerous gap between law enforcement and the communities they are expected to protect.
Advocacy
Looking ahead, the traditional ruler advocated the emergence of a new generation of police officers equipped with legal intelligence, emotional intelligence and technological intelligence.
Such officers, he said, should be approachable enough to earn the confidence of ordinary citizens, including traders in Osogbo, students in Ile-Ife and youths in Oke-Ila Orangun.
Oba Abolarin stressed that policing with humanity should not be interpreted as weakness or leniency towards crime, but as a strategic approach capable of improving intelligence gathering, strengthening investigations and increasing public cooperation.
“Policing with Humanity is not weakness. It is strategy. It is how we win information. It is how we win convictions. It is how we win the people,” he said.
He commended the Commandant and officers of the Police Mobile College, Ila Orangun, for their engagement, questions and commitment to improving policing standards.
Oba Abolarin prayed for renewed strength for officers of the Nigeria Police Force and for continued peace and progress in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Credit: trendscope.com.ng
