By Oki Samson
The viral videos on Saturday 27th August 2022 showing some youths involved in a head-on assault on officers from Lagos Command’s Ilupeju Division is one of many recent nefarious practices targeted at the Nigerian police men and officers aim.
When the police officers in the Ilupeju incident were overcome with anger to shoot at the four youths, namely Bolade Richard Talabi, male, 31, a corper in Oyo state; Odigie Ehis, male, 35; Oyedeji Motunrayo Salamot, female, 26, resident in Oyo State; and Miracle Onukwoforobi, female, 27, it would have provoked widespread condemnation of the Nigerian police from human rights organizations both locally and in the international community.
It is commendable that officials maintained a high level of decency and decency throughout the process.
It should be mentioned that the Ilupeju saga is just one of many attacks on Nigerian police officers and men.
A few others have happened in the nation’s recent history.
While Nigerians are quick to talk about basic human rights, it’s important to let people know they can do better.
A police officer is initially a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This gives him or her the same basic rights as other Nigerians, whether in uniform or as a mufti.
It should also be noted that rights come with responsibilities.
Likewise, you must not violate the rights of others if you wish to enjoy yours.
National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP, will point out that if a Nigerian has accepted the patriotic duty of becoming a member of the Nigerian Police Force, the agency charged with maintaining law and order in the country does not strip him of his rank human rights. He/She should be shown due respect.
Recently, the police have taken on the task of ridding themselves of unsavory elements.
While they’re being urged to do more, it’s good that civilians aren’t themselves making bad eggs for the police by intentionally fueling them.
The quartet, who claimed to be performing at Bobby Camp, were stopped by officers in Tracing and Tracing at approximately 5:50 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2022.
They drove a gray Honda sedan with registration no. AKD 956 GZ with 5 occupants along the Afolabi Lesi junction on the Town Planning Way at Ilupeju, Lagos.
During the search, a plastic crusher containing a substance believed to be Indian hemp was found in the jacket of a certain Bolade Richard Talabi ‘m’, who admitted to being the owner.
The officer told him he could not leave the crime scene, and the suspect grabbed the officer and attempted to recover the exhibit.
He involved his fellow inmates and they all attacked the officers and caused heavy traffic. They were all arrested at the station and brought to justice.
According to a tweet by Lagos State Police Command spokesman SP Benjamin Hundeyin, NAOSNP’s Oki Samson can report yesterday that the four (4) have been charged in court with aggravated assault against police officers, obstruction of police officers performing lawful duties and unlawful possession of substances , which are believed to be cannabis.
They have been remanded in Kirikiri Supreme Prison awaiting their sentence, which has been adjourned until October 10, 2022.
In a separate press statement electronically signed by Force PRO and shared with the NAOSNP, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has strongly condemned the recent trend of attacks on police officers and men in uniform, the performance of official and lawful duties in various locations across the country.
“The IGP emphasized that attacks on police officers who are uniformed civil servants are both illegal and a violation of the rule of law.
The IGP warned that attacks on police officers and men on duty would no longer be tolerated under any guise as the force holds the lives of its personnel sacrosanct,” the Force PRO, CSP Adejobi, indicated.
He added: “Consequently, the IGP has directed all police commands and formations to ensure that persons who attack police officers, regardless of the foregoing factors, face the full wrath of the law through expeditious prosecution in competent courts.”
While reaffirming the force’s obligation to ensure the protection of life and property, the inspector general of police stressed the importance of respecting the fundamental rights of police officers and other security forces so that they can carry out their sacred duty and better protect citizens and maintaining law and order.’
Nigerians can certainly do better.
The memories of Endsars are still fresh.
Nigerian youth must refrain from goading police officers.
Police officers must also conduct their duties with all courtesy and respect towards the community.
No one should wish for a lawless society. Nigeria cannot afford to go down this path.
