IGP warns Officers against Careless Use of Arms during Elections
The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has warned officers of the police force against misuse of firearms during the forthcoming elections in the country.
Abba said this in opposition to a statement by AIG Joseph Mbu, who reportedly said “If one of my men is killed, I shall kill 20 of them but don’t shoot first”. He stated that policemen were provided arms to protect the rights of citizens at all times and not to kill.
During a meeting with senior policemen at the Force headquarters in Abuja on saturday, Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, released a statement from Abba.
It read, “IG Suleiman Abba, advised all officers of the imperative necessity to apply caution in the use of firearms, warning that except in extreme circumstances, arms shall not be used during the forthcoming elections.”
While admitting that there are circumstances under which an officer may be provoked in the course of duty, the IG stressed that the attributes of a police officer as contained in the Police Regulations, require him to exercise “tact, patience and tolerance and the control of his temper in trying situations.”
He urged officers to abide by the rule of law and respect the fundamental rights of citizens and residents.
