According to the IGP, the job of the police is to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, not to kill and maim the very people who pay them for protection.
Abba’s warning was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu. The statement is coming after recent media reports quoted the Assistant Inspector General AIG of Police, Zone 2, Mr. Joseph Mbu as vowing to kill 20 civilians for each policeman killed in the forthcoming general elections.
Mbu, who was only recently posted to the zone, had at a meeting with officers and men of the Ogun State Command at its Eleweran Headquarters, Abeokuta on Thursday, declared that the elections in his zone will be “fire for fire” if politicians decide to play pranks.
He said if any of his men were shot, at least 20 civilians would pay dearly with for it.
“If one of my men is killed, I shall kill 20 of them but don’t shoot first. If they shoot you, shoot back in self-defense. Anybody who fires you, fire him back in self-defense”, Mbu had ordered.
Without any consideration for the constitutional mandate of other sister-security agencies, Mbu told his men that they were the only authority with the power to arrest, before, during and after elections, urging them not to bother to greet any governor who comes to vote, but to arrest him should he flout any law.
“You have the power to stop the governor,” he said. “We are in a critical period. We are not para-military. We must be bold and brave. Keep an eagle eye on everybody. We are authorised by the constitution to arrest before, during and after election. Our role is to ensure free, fair and violence free election.”
However, in the statement, the IGP restated his avowed commitment to the observance of the rule of law and the respect of the fundamental rights of citizens and residents alike by all police officers.
While admitting that there are circumstances under which an officer may be provoked in the course of duty, the IGP stressed that the attributes of a police officer as contained in the Police Regulations, require of every officer to exercise “tact, patience and tolerance and the control of his temper in trying situations.”
The statement quoted the IGP as giving the charge at a meeting with a cross section of senior officers and stakeholders in his office.
He advised all officers of the necessity to apply caution in the use of firearms, warning that except in extreme circumstances, arms shall not be used during the forthcoming elections.
He observed that the rule of law is the underpinning tenet of democracy, which will guide police officers in the discharge of their roles in the elections.
The IGP further reassured the public that the Nigeria Police has a mandate to save and protect lives, and not to kill, contrary to recent statements attributed to AIG Mbu.
He cautioned officers to avoid excesses, pointing out the dire consequences attendant on abuse of human rights, all of which are contained in the recently released NPF Human Rights Practice Manual.
He equally restated the preparedness of the Police to provide fool-proof security before, during and after the elections.
Culled: abusidiqu.com
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