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AIG
Joseph Mbu
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The
Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has cautioned police personnel
against misuse of firearms during the forthcoming elections in the country. Abba
stated that arms would be used only in extreme circumstances, stressing that
all police officers must protect the rights of citizens at all times.
Apparently
refuting a statement credited to AIG Joseph Mbu, who said “If one of my men is
killed, I shall kill 20 of them but don’t shoot first,” the police boss
reassured the public that “the Nigeria Police has a mandate to save and protect
lives, and not to kill, contrary to recent statements in the media.”
The
Punch reports the Police IG said this during a meeting with senior policemen at the Force headquarters,
Abuja, according to a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel
Ojukwu, on Saturday.
“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,” the statement read.
While
admitting that there were circumstances under which an officer might be
provoked in the course of duty, the IG stressed that the attributes of a police
officer as contained in the Police Regulations, required him to exercise “tact,
patience and tolerance and the control of his temper in trying situations.”
He
observed that the rule of law is the underpinning tenet of democracy, which he
noted would guide police officers in the discharge of their roles during the
polls.
Abba
restated his commitment to observance of the rule of law and the respect of the
fundamental rights of citizens and residents alike by all police officers.
He
cautioned officers to avoid excesses, pointing out the dire consequences of
abuse of human rights as contained in the recently released Human Rights
Practice Manual.
He also restated the
preparedness of the Force to provide the requisite security before, during and
after the elections.
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