POLICEMEN who shoot down innocent citizens have being warned to desist or face prosecution, as the excuse of accidental discharge, usually contrived to exonerate killer policemen is unfounded, a nullity and frivolous.
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) acting Commissioner of Police (CP) Emmanuel Ojukwu stated this on Thursday in Abuja during an interactive session with journalists, organised by the Forum of Spokesperson of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA) and the I-Nigeria Initiative.
He said: “there is nothing like accidental discharge. The policeman is adequately trained to know that you have to cock the gun, release the safety catch before you can fire it. So any case of accidental discharge is void. You can only shoot the gun if you intend to.
“Anybody that is involved in this dastardly act would face the full wrath of the law for murder. It is done intentionally, so there is nothing like accidental discharge,” he said.
He said the police is actively participating in the counter insurgency war in the northeastern part of the country and the Force has suffered more casualties than any other security agency as statistics show that, “we have more widows and orphans in Nigeria than any other security agency. We are losing personnel every day and participating with casualties on our side, but we do not receive the attention expected.”
He said apart from maintaining law and order in insurgency free zones in the country, the police has set up tactical points in most states in the northwest to ensure that terrorists don’t have easy access to carry out attacks.
Ojukwu also said the Force has succeeded in pushing out the menace of cattle rustlers in trouble states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Nasarawa and Benue.
He explained that the deployment of 13 police helicopters and accompanying ground troops chased away the rustlers from their hiding places in the bush.
He also revealed that the police is currently reviewing its surveillance technology and information technology infrastructure to enable more effective crime detection and enforcement.
He said there is need for Nigerians to know their rights, instead of succumbing to cheap intimidation, especially from policemen on duty.
Meanwhile, as preparations for the 2015 general elections continue, tough times await political thugs and their sponsors as the order for their arrest and prosecution has being given, even as vigilante groups would be properly screened henceforth.
In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the FPRO said the order is coming on the heels of incessant complaints of the activities of thugs during elections, and the need to have a free, transparent and violent-free elections next year.
“The IGP has also issued a stern warning against the use of thugs to further political interest. He warned that thugs and their sponsors would be arrested and prosecuted.”
The statement added that these directives have become imperative, considering the need to ensure a violent-free general election in 2015.
He maintained that there is need to check the activities of vigilante groups in the country, even though the groups have being close collaborators in the fight against criminal elements.
While speaking to journalists at the Forum of Spokesperson of Security and Response Agency (FOSSRA), Ojukwu justified the need to educate the vigilante groups of human rights and respect for the citizens. He said the unwholesome activities of some members of vigilante calls for a thorough screening and enlightenment.
“Because power and authority intoxicates, when given such privileges, some abuse it, so there is need to educate them on respecting human rights and the rule of law.”
He said, “the IGP has also instructed that a police officer be appointed in all commands to oversee the activities of these groups and render regular reports of their activities.”Guardian.