Police officers have constitutional powers to kill, IG Adamu writes in new signal
Police Inspector-General Mohammed Adamu has told officers in an internal memo to use live rounds to prevent illegal acts amongst citizens.
Mr. Adamu said in the November 6 police signal that officers should hold no responsibility if they kill anyone for trying to resist arrest or escape from police custody.
The police chief cited Section 33 (2) of the Constitution, which said no one would be deemed to have been deprived of life if the person was killed while evading arrest, fleeing from detention, taking part in insurrection or rioting.
While Mr. Adamu’s directive appeared to have the backing of the law, rights activists feared it could further embolden officers to continue fatal attacks on civilians.
“The IG should not be issuing a directive remembering police officers on how to kill and justify it,” rights campaigner Ibrahim Kaita told Peoples Gazette on Saturday afternoon.
Mr. Adamu has laboured over the past week to boost the morale of officers following recent thug violence that left hundreds of police stations burnt across the country. Dozens of police officers were also killed in the violence, which followed Nigerian Army’s killing of #EndSARS protesters in Lagos on October 20.
But coming at a time when police officers are facing resistance from #EndSARS protesters, Mr. Adamu’s order could prove counterproductive for its potential misrepresentation, Mr. Kaita said.
“We sympathise with the police for the officers lost to hoodlums,” Mr. Kaita said. “But we know that the police have a history of extra-judicial killing and officers who are readily happy to pull the trigger could misinterpret the IG’s order to start killing people.”
“Under our outdated constitutional provisions, the police have too much latitude to kill anyone and make up a label that fits under the Constitution to justify it,” Mr. Kaita said. “Given the ongoing negotiation between government and protesters, the IG’s memo is very dangerous and in bad faith.”
Police spokesman Frank Mba did not return multiple requests seeking comments about the IG’s controversial signal on Saturday.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Jonathan inaugurates 1.3km flood-control tunnel in Akwa Ibom
“Your understanding of the needs of your people has been demonstrated in your vision to initiate and complete this project.’’
Africa
Govt threatens to stop salaries of striking Kenyan doctors after failed negotiations
The strike has paralysed medical activities in the East African country.
Economy
Naira loses 0.64% against dollar at official market
At the Investor’s and Exporter’s window on Tuesday, the naira traded between N1, 367 and N1, 098 against the dollar.
Africa
Gabon’s national dialogue proposes economic development, good governance
Mr Mve stated that youth unemployment was one-factor government officials believed to be linked to mounting insecurity.
Lagos
Nigeria’s ruling APC used political thugs to suppress Igbo votes in Lagos, rig Sanwo-Olu back to office: U.S. Govt
“Viral videos on social media showed APC supporters in Ojo threatening to attack ethnic Igbo voters presumed to be pro-Obi.’’
NationWide
Public procurement association tasks members on ethical values, best practices
“We are trained to identify those risks and mitigate them.’’