A human rights organization on the aegis of Community Policing Partners (COMPPART), and Foundation for Justice and Peacebuilding, have castigated the plan by the Nigeria Police Force to enforce vehicle insurance which is privately issued by private companies.
This was as the rights organisations called for an investigation into insurance funds paid by vehicle owners and the activities of NAICOM.
The organisations pointedly said that the planned enforcement by the Nigeria Police would breach fundamental human rights as well as create unnecessary institutional responsibility clashes.
They therefore urged the police to prioritize human rights and adhere to their mandate as against taking on additional responsibilities that may lead to conflicts and abuse.
These were contained in a letter to the Inspector General of Police by the two organisations in which they stressed that while the enforcement of vehicle insurance is a welcome step, it is essential to ensure that the police do not overstep their mandate.
The rights groups noted that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) are the agencies responsible for enforcing road safety and insurance regulations, respectively and not the police.
Accordingly, they urged the Inspector General of Police to halt the planned enforcement, seek legal advice, and liaise with relevant agencies to review laws on auto insurance.
While appraising its key concerns, the rights organisations stressed that the police may overstep their mandate, leading to conflicts with other agencies.
The letter read in part; “The enforcement may create an atmosphere for human rights abuse, particularly if the police are not trained to handle the new responsibility.
“The police may use the enforcement as an opportunity to extort money from vehicle owners,” it said.
