The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticized the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for participating in the sale and enforcement of third-party insurance policies, describing it as a distraction from their primary responsibilities.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA condemned the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) approval of the initiative, calling it an improper deviation from the force’s core mandate of maintaining law and order.
“The fundamental duties of the police include law enforcement, crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property none of which authorize them to engage in commercial activities such as selling insurance,” the statement read.
The group warned that allowing the police to take on roles outside their constitutional mandate could weaken their effectiveness in tackling insecurity across the country.
It also called on Nigerians to challenge the initiative in court, particularly if it results in undue harassment of motorists who already have valid insurance from licensed providers.
HURIWA further urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and civil society organizations to take legal steps to prevent what it described as a potential avenue for extortion.
“The Nigeria Police Force is supposed to be an institution dedicated to public safety, not a business enterprise trading in insurance policies. This move raises serious concerns about their priorities,” Onwubiko stated.
The rights group insisted that the police should concentrate on their constitutional duties and avoid activities that could erode public trust in the institution.
