Following the threats by the AIG in
charge of Zone 2, Joseph Mbu, that he will kill 20 people for any one of
his men who is killed, the inspector-general of police, Suleiman Abba,
has warned that the police must not be involved in extra-judicial
killings.
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 IGP said that he is committed to 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.
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