Joy Anyim
A group, the Egalitarian Mission of Africa, has advised the Federal Government to make the use of body cameras compulsory for policemen during enforcement operations.
According to chairman, Board of Trustees, Egalitarian Mission Africa, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, implementing the use of body cameras will ensure accountability and transparency in police dealings.
Ajulo noted that the agitation to reform the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), is a collective responsibility, as such, the organisation would make available body cameras as their contribution towards reforming the NPF.
He, however, maintained that this largesse can only be possible if the Federal Government can immediately amend the provisions of the new Nigeria Police (Establishment) Act, 2020 and the Administration Act, 2015 particularly Section 17 of the Act and any other enabling Acts to mandate compulsory use of such cameras.
“As a commitment of faith, the organisation I lead, Egalitarian Mission for Africa, and my good self will make available, ex gratia to the Nigerian Police, body cameras to be worn to record the event of every engagement of the Nigeria Police Force with the civil populace.
“If the Federal Government can immediately amend the provisions of the new Nigeria Police (Establishment) Act, 2020 and the Administration Act, 2015 particularly Section 17 of the Act and any other enabling Acts to mandate compulsory use of police body cameras in all their engagements with the civil populace,” he said.
He added, “It suffices to state for record that in policing equipment, body cameras or wearable cameras are essential in modern day policing and are used by law enforcement agents to record their interaction with the public.
“Aside being used to record crime, same is imperative to ensure police transparency and accountability which will ultimately check abuse of police and restore public confidence in their operations.”