A former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, JB Daudu, has advocated for a higher minimum entry requirement for the Nigerian Police Force, suggesting a university degree or its equivalent.

Mr Daudu, the coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja.

He suggested that a more educated workforce would be better equipped to handle the challenges of policing, which could potentially lead to improved performance and effectiveness.

“This will ensure that all entry-level officers receive a mandatory course in the recognition and enforcement of fundamental human rights that have been enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).

“It will also ensure that they receive sufficient training in the handling of firearms to curb the wave of accidental discharge of firearms and all other cases of abuse of firearms that our citizens now suffer from,’’ Mr Daudu explained.

He added, “As far as many Nigerians are concerned, the police force is not only moribund but a large percentage of its personnel are branded as corrupt.

“Most Nigerians don’t report crimes in which they are victims because of the fear that they may, in the course of pursuing their rights, be branded as criminals or be exploited for financial gain. The federal government must commence the rebranding of the Nigeria Police Force.”

The lawyer also called for improvements in their remuneration package, the provision of institutional support such as insurance coverage, a mandatory housing program, promotions as and when due, affordable health services, and educational support.

Mr Daudu stressed the need to rewrite the disciplinary protocols of all security agencies and ensure that these rules are subjected to ordinary laws of the land through trials in our criminal courts.

“Offences by errant policemen amounting not only to civil disciplinary issues but are also criminal in nature must attract punishments that fit the offence.

“Such offences as reckless misuse of firearms and police power leading to death or serious bodily harm of, and on, innocent victims must be appropriately punished rather than a mere slap on the wrist,” he stated.

(NAN)