Follow due process, rule of law, Oyo CP enjoins newly recruited special constabulary

Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu has admonished newly recruited special constabulary to follow due process and rule of law, and avoid infringing on human rights.
Enwonwu also enjoined them to engage in grassroots policing and not allow people to take laws into their hands.
The police commissioner gave the charges on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, during the passing out parade of members of the Course 2, Batch B, 2020 of the special constabulary.
Enwonwu, who appreciated the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu for the community policing initiative, said that it would help in intelligence gathering, which would assist in reducing crimes in the communities.
He said that the special constabulary had been trained for a month, and already understood the rudiments and concepts of community policing.
“I charge them to go and demonstrate what they have been trained in. We expect them to be closer to their people.
“They would do what we call grassroots policing, in which they will not allow people to take laws into their hands.
“We however don’t expect them to violate anyone’s human rights . They should follow due process and rule of law.
“They should respect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as it touches on fundamental human rights.
“They are there to strengthen the efforts of the police. As we speak, what has helped us to record successes at the community level is that the police have been working with our contacts and vigilantes.
“And recently, Amotekun has also come on board, the Oyo police boss stated.
He added that with the special constabulary being there, they could work as a team, to ensure that crime is reduced to the barest minimum at the community level.
Speaking on the increasing rate of jungle justice in the state, Enwonwu, who described it as unlawful, said it was not the best way to sort out issues of criminality. He charged residents of the state to always hand over suspected criminals to law enforcement agents for investigation and prosecution in court of law, if found culpable.
In his comments, the Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (retd), who represented the governor, advised the special constabulary to respect the rights of everyone while doing their jobs, and avoid abuse of power and office.
“They should respect the rule of law. They have to listen to their supervisors who are their superior officers.
“The Divisional Police Officers and other senior officers are to guide them. If they don’t understand something, they should not hesitate to ask their superiors,” CP Odukoya said on behalf of
Governor Makinde.
He also charged the special constables to work within ethics and ensure they are civil to the members of the public while discharging their duties.
The Commandant of the Police Training School, Eleyele, Ibadan, ACP Olalekan Coker, explained that the new special constables had been trained to complement the efforts of the police in their communities.
He said they were trained on the basic principles of community policing and the sanctity of human rights.
The leader of Batch B, Special Constabulary, Taofeek Akinpelu praised the efforts of their trainers, promising full support for the security agencies.
Akinpelu added that community people were expecting well-grounded security “when we start in January 2021.”