IG counters Mbu: Police will use arms with caution

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 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.