Civilian harassment: Reps consider body-worn cameras for security agents
…There are more pressing issues facing sector than bodycams — Adamu
By Ariemu Ogaga and Uthman Salami
The members, House of Representatives are beginning to consider body-worn cameras for security agents in order to curb the ceaseless report of brutality, harassment of innocent Nigerians by various agents of different security outfits across the country.
House of Representative members charged the Federal Government to make provisions for body cameras to be attached to officers and men of security agencies in Nigeria.
They believe this would create situation rooms across the country to monitor their activities.
The body cameras, the House argued, will help checkmate cases of abuse of power and human rights.
The House urged the government at all levels to provide body cameras for all security operatives including Nigeria Customs Service on duty across the country.
Furthermore, the House mandated its Committees on Police Affairs; Army; and National Security and Intelligence to ensure compliance with the resolution.
The resolution was based on a motion moved at the plenary on Thursday by a member, Chinedu Martins, titled ‘Need to Provide Body-Worn Cameras for Security Operatives in the Country and Create a Situation Room.’
Moving the motion, Martins noted that the security of lives and properties of the citizens is a primary responsibility of the government.
According to him, security agencies have been exploring solutions to mitigate the growing insecurity in the country, especially considering the lack of adherence to rules of engagement on the part of security operatives on duty.
The lawmaker also noted that a body camera is a wearable audio-visual or photographic system that integrates with in-car video and used to record events involving law enforcement officers in order to improve transparency and accountability of law enforcement agencies.
Martins said, “The House is concerned about allegations of harassment, extortion, and extrajudicial killings of citizens by security operatives, which often results in reprisals and uprising by the citizens.
“The House is convinced that security operatives, who often experience litigious scrutiny over their conduct in the discharge of their duties, ought to wear body cameras in order to have picture and video evidence of their activities;
“The House is cognisant that the body cameras will keep the security operatives in check, considering the massive allegations of human rights violation by security operatives and lack of evidence to indict them.
“The House is also cognisant that the introduction of body cameras will not only douse tension and promote trust and professionalism among the security agencies but will also institutionalise the rules of engagement to foster a harmonious relationship between security operatives and the citizenry.”
Reacting to the development, a security expert, the Chief Executive officer, Beacon Security Consult, Dr Kabiru Adamu said the initiative is laudable but there more important things to be considered than body cams.
He said, “Body Camera are meant to provide evidence, that is to ensure wearers comply with the rules of engagement set out by their employers; Also to enable the gathering of evidence.”
He noted that anything to enhance human right protection is laudable but there are more pressing issues facing the sector than the proposed bodycam.
“However, in a country where basic policing equipment is not available, the request of bodycameras for security men is ridiculous,” he said.
