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Speaking in Uyo on Friday during a visit to the Akwa Ibom State
Police Command, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6
Command, Calabar, Abubakar Marafa, has alleged that some hoodlums have
snatched rifles from drunken policemen.
The police boss also lamented that there had been frequent cases of
firearms misuse by policemen on duty, adding that the development had
led to the killing of innocent persons.
According to a report by Punch Metro,
Marafa stated that policemen were only allowed to shoot when their
lives were threatened, adding that police authority would not tolerate
officers who carelessly handled their rifles by firing at innocent
citizens or by permitting it to be taken away by hoodlums.
“As a policeman, you are not supposed to use your rifles anyhow
except when you are attacked. We also know that some policemen give up
their rifles when they are drunk, while others allow the rifles to be
taken away from them through careless handling.
“The gun is your life; you have to resist every attempt against
people who want to take it away from you. Even though you lose it,
there must be evidence that you, at least, had put up a hard fight
against it being taken away from you.
“We have received series of reports against various human
rights violations by policemen. I want you to keep up the spirit of
maintaining peace and security in the state because Akwa Ibom is one of
the states with low crime rate,” he said.
The commissioner also warned police officers against mounting
roadblocks, noting that the practice had been stopped, adding that
mounting roadblocks in any guise violated fundamental human rights,
maintaining that such a practice would not be tolerated.
“Roadblock has been banned; respect the fundamental human
rights of Nigerians. We’ve received series of reports about this.
Respect the right of Nigerians. This will trigger cooperation between
the police and the society,” Marafa said.
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