The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Cross River State Command, has warned its officers against human rights violations and unlawful arrests, stressing that security operations must comply with due process and the rule of law.
The warning was issued during a two-day intensive training on criminal justice administration held at the command headquarters in Calabar and concluded at the weekend.
The training, facilitated by the Corps’ Director of Legal Services, Aminu Kayode Alilu, was designed to strengthen professional conduct and ensure that officers adhere to legal requirements in the discharge of their duties.
Participants included area commanders, divisional officers, intelligence and investigation operatives, legal officers, station officers, cell guards, Anti-Corruption and Critical National Asset and Infrastructure personnel, as well as tactical commanders.
They were trained on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, lawful arrests, proper handling of suspects and successful prosecution.
Alilu warned that violations of due process during arrests, interrogations and detention could undermine prosecutions, expose the Corps to litigation and infringe on citizens’ fundamental rights.
“Effective security operations must be conducted within the confines of the law. Professionalism, accountability and respect for human dignity are non-negotiable,” he stressed.
In his remarks, the Cross River State Commandant, Okarazu Chima, thanked the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for prioritising legal capacity development within the Corps.
Chima described the training as timely and indispensable, warning that the command would no longer tolerate avoidable legal errors capable of violating citizens’ rights.