WAYPAN Urges New IG to Uphold Youth Rights in Nigeria

The West African Youth Protect Advocacy Network (WAYPAN) has urged the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, to prioritize the strengthening of human and civil rights for young Nigerians. In a statement, the group highlighted the necessity for a review of police practices, particularly concerning the unjust prosecution of young individuals.

They emphasized the importance of establishing accountability mechanisms within the police force and called for the retraining of officers on human rights standards. The group expressed concern over the increasing harassment and wrongful profiling of young Nigerians, particularly in light of the upcoming implementation of the Cybercrime Law in 2024, which they fear may be misused against youth.

WAYPAN also advocated for the establishment of a human rights desk within the police to address complaints of misconduct effectively. They condemned the misuse of digital platforms for blackmail and fraud and stressed the need for the police to learn from past incidents, such as the #EndSARS protests, to improve public trust and accountability.