Stakeholders in Benue have called on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to intensify public awareness and sensitisation on its Police Complaint Response Unit (P-CRU) to enable citizens report cases of police brutality, abuse and other misconduct.
The call was made during a stakeholders’ engagement with the NPF Complaint Response Unit, Benue State Command, organised by Elixir Trust Foundation in partnership with Thrivescape Initiative and Prime Youths and Women Empowerment Initiative (PYWEI), with support from the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) and the Fund for Global Human Rights (FGHR).
The engagement, held on Tuesday, at Grand Stevoo Hotel, Makurdi, focused on strengthening accountability, improving police-citizen relations and creating greater awareness of the mechanisms available for reporting police misconduct.
The stakeholders urged the Nigeria Police Force to work closely with the media and civil society organisations to educate members of the public about the P-CRU and how they can access its services.
They also called for an improved online presence of the Complaint Response Unit in Benue, greater commitment to transparency, and recognition as well as reward for hard-working police officers.
The stakeholders further charged civil society organisations to amplify advocacy for adequate funding of the Nigeria Police Force to enable it to effectively discharge its responsibilities.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Elixir Trust Foundation, Emmanuel Ikule, said the engagement was part of the Civil Space and Security Project being implemented in Benue and Abuja.
According to him, the programme is aimed at creating awareness of the Police Complaint Response Unit and encouraging citizens to report cases of police abuse and brutality.
He said the initiative would also enable citizens to understand their rights and encourage them to educate others about the available channels for seeking redress.
Ikule urged residents of Benue and other parts of the North Central to report cases of police brutality through the designated channels, including the contact number provided by the organisation.
He said the engagement was the first phase of the programme, adding that more engagements would be held subsequently. He explained that the outcomes of the engagements would be subjected to further validation in Abuja before the reports are presented to the Inspector-General of Police.
In his goodwill message, the Acting Head of the NPF-CRU, SP Fidelis Toddo, commended the organisers for what he described as a proactive effort towards strengthening police accountability and public trust.
Toddo encouraged members of the public to bring forward genuine complaints supported with facts and evidence, while urging police officers to carry out their duties professionally and respect the rights and privileges of citizens.
He said the success of the initiative depended on collective effort between the police and citizens, expressing hope that the engagement would contribute to rebuilding public trust. He also assured of the CRU-FHQ Abuja’s support, commitment and collaboration with the Police Complaint Response Unit in Benue State.
Giving an overview of the Police Complaint Response Unit, Toddo said the unit receives complaints from members of the public against police officers, monitors police conduct, provides feedback and redress to complainants, and promotes accountability between the police and the public.
He disclosed that the unit receives complaints through its social media platforms and other designated channels, adding that more than 4,000 complaints had been received so far in 2026.
He urged members of the public to make use of the following contact lines to report complaints: 08057000001, 08057000002, 09133333785, 09133333786. WhatsApp/SMS: 08057000003.
The high point of the engagement was the identification of an action plan and possible ways forward to address challenges and gaps affecting effective police accountability and citizen engagement in Benue State.
