Delta Rights Advocate Urges Police To Balance Operation VELVET With Citizens’ Rights
By BLESSING AGWE ODUGO
THE Delta State Director of the Conference for the Actualisation of Human Rights, Prince Ukuanovwe Godstime Oj, has criticised the implementation of Operation VELVET by the Delta State Police Command, calling for a lawful, humane and accountable approach to the enforcement exercise.
In a statement titled “My Position on Operation Velvet,” Oj acknowledged the responsibility of the police to protect lives and property, maintain public safety and enforce applicable laws.
However, he argued that such responsibilities must be exercised within the limits of the law. He also cautioned against policing methods that could turn law enforcement agencies into de facto revenue-generating institutions.
Concerns Over Enforcement
According to Oj, the police have identified vehicles without valid documents, unregistered vehicles and vehicles without number plates as among the targets of Operation VELVET.
The exercise also covers vehicles with defaced, obscured, altered or deliberately covered number plates. The police have said the operation is aimed at improving road safety and strengthening security.
While recognising those objectives, Oj expressed concern about the possible impact of the enforcement on motorists, particularly amid the economic difficulties facing many Nigerians.
He argued that authorities should take citizens’ circumstances into account when enforcing vehicle documentation and registration requirements.
“No responsible citizen deliberately wants to drive an unregistered vehicle, use a defaced number plate or neglect the renewal of required vehicle documents,” he said.
The rights advocate maintained that some cases of non-compliance may arise from economic difficulties rather than a deliberate intention to violate the law.
Call for Intelligence-Led Policing
Oj urged the Nigerian Police Force to adopt more creative, intelligence-led and technology-driven methods of policing instead of relying excessively on roadside enforcement.
He said modern policing should place greater emphasis on intelligence gathering, proactive crime prevention, community engagement and technology.
“The era of lazy policing must give way to intelligence-led policing, technology, community engagement and proactive crime prevention,” he declared.
According to him, security operations should protect citizens and their property rather than unnecessarily adding to their hardship.
Human Rights Review
Oj also expressed concern about the implementation of Operation VELVET and said he would engage the organisation’s National Director, Barr. Omemiroro Maxwell Ogedegbe, for a legal and human rights review of the exercise.
He said the review would examine the enforcement process and determine lawful steps that could be taken where citizens’ rights may have been violated.
The rights advocate stressed that the police have a legitimate duty to enforce the law, but must do so with respect for the dignity and rights of members of the public.
He identified dignity, due process and protection from unlawful harassment, extortion and abuse as essential safeguards during law enforcement operations.
Balancing Enforcement With Rights
Oj argued that the effectiveness of policing should not be judged only by the number of arrests, vehicle seizures or enforcement activities recorded.
He said legality, fairness and accountability should also form part of any assessment of a security operation.
He therefore called for a balanced approach that would allow the police to enforce vehicle regulations while ensuring that motorists are treated fairly and within the law.
“The police have a legitimate duty to protect society. Citizens equally have a legitimate right to dignity, due process and protection from unlawful harassment, extortion and abuse,” he said.
Oj concluded by urging the Delta State Police Command to remain firm in carrying out its statutory responsibilities while ensuring that Operation VELVET remains lawful, humane and transparent.
“Law enforcement must be firm, but it must also be lawful, humane and accountable,” he stated.
