The IG of Police, Suleiman Abba, has cautioned officers of the force against the improper use of firearms during the forthcoming general elections “except in extreme circumstances”.
In a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, on Saturday, states that Mr. Abba gave the caution when he addressed senior officers in his office.
IG Abba reiterated that the Nigeria Police has “a mandate to save and protect lives, and not to kill unjustly, contrary to recent statements in the media”.
Controversial Assistant IG of Police, Joseph Mbu, had earlier said the police in his division will kill twenty persons for the death of a police personnel.
“If one of my men is killed, I shall kill 20 of them but don’t shoot first,” Mr. Mbu said. “If they shoot at you, shoot at them back in self-defence. Anybody who fires you, fire him back in self-defence,” he said.
His remarks have drawn widespread criticism, with the All Progressives Congress, APC, describing Mr. Mbu as a barbaric and lawless officer who must be swiftly cautioned.
The Police Inspector General, also said in his statement that incase of provocation, attributes of a police officer as contained in the Police Regulations, requires him to exercise “tact, patience and tolerance and control of temper in trying situations’’.
The IG also cautioned his officers against excesses and reminded them of the dire consequences of abuse of human rights as contained in the recently released Human Rights Practice Manual of the force.
Mr. Abba reiterated his commitment to follow the rule of law and the respect of the fundamental rights of citizens by all police officers.
“The rule of law is the underpinning tenet of democracy which will guide police officers in the discharge of their roles in the forthcoming national elections,’’ he stated.
He also reiterated the preparedness of his officers to provide the needed security before, during and after the elections.
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