The High Court has ordered police to refrain from masking their faces during deployment adding that officers should have their names printed in their uniform in part which is visible whenever they are quelling protesters.
“Pending the inter-partes hearing and determination of the Application dated 31/07/2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued requiring the 5th Respondent to ensure that no Police Officer or any or persons acting under the direction, control, or in support of the National Police Service takes any action to obscure the identification, registration, or markings of any motor vehicles being used when in any way dealing with any person(s) who is or planning on assembling, demonstrating, picketing or petitioning,” the court orders read in part.
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The directive comes at the backdrop of police brutality witnessed during the anti-finance bill protests which saw more than 50 killed by police.
During the protests, many police officers were spotted in plain clothes, some of whom were captured opening live ammunition at protesters.
Other officers allegedly sneaked in the protests using cars without number plates.
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The move is geared towards ensuring transparency in the police officers at the time when it has proven hard to identify rogue officers who shot at protests.
Recently, Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) accused the office of Inspector General of Police for frustrating the investigation into uncovering the killer cops.
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