Killing Of Lagosians by Policemen Is Unacceptable – IGP

Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu has blasted the rampant murder of innocent Lagosians by policemen, calling it unacceptable.

He revealed this yesterday as he spoke to his fellow police officers at the Police College, Ikeja.

According to Mr Mohammed, these incidents will only create more divide between the citizens and the police officers.

His words, “From January to April, 2019, Lagos State has recorded four incidents of misuse of firearms which have resulted in extra-judicial killings of young citizens of this country and injury to others.

‘’More worrisome is that two of these incidents occurred within the last two weeks.

“Aside negating our professional calling, extra-judicial acts of any description or level by any police personnel is an unacceptable anomaly that creates disdain between the citizens and their police and widen the trust gap between them,’’ he said.

He warned that any police personnel that insisted on remaining incorrigible by engaging in abuse of his or her powers or misuses his weapons in utter disregard to statutory provisions would be arrested.

“The person will be investigated through our internal disciplinary machinery and if found culpable, shall be dismissed from service.

“In addition, such personnel will be charged to court for murder or sundry offences depending on his or her level of criminal liability in the instance.

“Furthermore, the line supervisors of such officer, including the Area Commander, Divisional Police Officer or Sectional Head, shall be held vicariously liable for lacking supervision and shall be similarly sanctioned.

“In the long term, rather than the use of firearms, we shall henceforth use technologies and weapon systems such as electro-muscular disruption technology, commonly known as Taser or Stun guns by police.

“It will be used for routine patrols as a strategic approach towards reducing incidents of fatalities associated with misapplication of lethal weapons by the police.

“In perfecting these initiatives, we shall be engaging with Human Rights Bodies, International Agencies, Development Partners and Civil Society Organisations,”

“This may involve personnel re-organisation. There will be nationwide tailor-made training and capacity development programmes that are directed at reorientation of personnel in compliance with human rights and professional conducts.”