Stakeholders have expressed concerns over surge in excesses of men of the Nigeria Police Force.
They contended that recent alleged killings, brutality and extortions by police officers showed that personnel of the force were yet to learn any lesson from the ugly incidents that characterised the tragic 2020 Endsars protest.
Recent incidents revealed that erring policemen do not only assault civilians, they also attack their counterparts from other security agencies.
Last week, an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Osun State, simply identified as Owoeye, was brutalised and beaten by a yet-to-be-identified policeman at the gate of an estate in Osogbo for allegedly obstructing arrest of a civilian.
Wearing a police vest on a mufti, the unidentified policeman pinned the helpless Owoeye to a fence beside an electricity transformer, slapping him on his face and brutalising him while other officers struggled to separate them.
At least two residents of the estate were also attacked by the policemen while blood gushed out from their heads as a result of an injury they sustained from the police beating.
One of the victims said he was attacked for taking a video recording of the assault on the civil defence officer.
About three weeks ago, some policemen on stop-and-search operations allegedly shot and killed one Smith Odinaka along the Enugu-Port-Harcourt Expressway, while on steering.
The Enugu State Police Command has yet to fish out the rogue policemen who committed the atrocious act nearly two weeks after the incident that happened on October 13.
Last Friday, a popular Ogene Musician “Igbo Jah” identified as Okezie Chikezie Mba, was reportedly shot dead by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force attached to an anti-cult unit of the Enugu State Police Command.
The incident occurred at the Tactical Squad’s Headquarters when Igbo Jah was invited to perform at a burial ceremony. He was allegedly killed by a police officer in what has been tagged “accidental discharge”.
The Enugu State Police Command confirmed the unfortunate incident, noting that the police officer involved had been arrested and detained.
The command spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe who confirmed the incident said that the Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu had consoled and assured family and friends of the late musician that the police officer and anyone else found culpable will be appropriately sanctioned to serve as a deterrent.
He said “A male Police Inspector serving in the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad of the Enugu State Police Command has been arrested and detained for the alleged murder of a male traditional Ogene musician, Okezie Chikezie Mba, popularly known as Igbo-Jah. The incident occurred around 8:10 p.m. on October 25, 2024, at the Tactical Squad’s Headquarters.
“The musician was reportedly leaving the Squad’s Headquarters after a friendly visit when, for reasons yet to be ascertained, the police officer fired his rifle, hitting the victim. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor. His body has been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to conduct a full-scale investigation that will facilitate prompt and appropriate disciplinary actions against the police officer.
“The Commissioner empathises and consoles the victim’s family, friends, and associates, describing the unfortunate incident as unacceptable. He assures that the police officer and anyone else found culpable will be sanctioned in line with the law to serve as a deterrent.”
Nevertheless, residents of Enugu have protested Igbo Jah’s killing, lamenting worsening brutality by the police.
Describing the musician’s death as unfortunate, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah also ordered thorough investigation into the murder.
“I have been briefed by the police and I have equally ordered a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure justice for him, his family, and fans around the world,” the governor said.
Also condemning rising misconduct by police officers, the Osun State Chapter Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, said the unprovoked attack by personnel of the Nigeria Police against operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps in Osogbo is a sign that many police officers are yet to be reformed.
CDHR Chairman, Emmanuel Olowo said it is alarming that police personnel continued to make threats to the lives of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has expressed displeasure over the confrontation between police officers and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
It was learnt that an NSCDC officer, identified simply as Owoeye, was reportedly assaulted while on guard duty in an estate and subsequently detained by the police.
The incident was said to have caused a dispute between the Osun Command of the NSCDC and the Nigeria Police Force.
The Osun State government later held a meeting with security heads to resolve the rift.
However, the IGP, in a statement released on Saturday night by the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, described the confrontation as unprofessional and directed the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Osogbo, to conduct a discreet investigation into the root cause of the incident.
He said, “The Inspector General of Police expresses displeasure at the act of unprofessionalism and public display of division and has ordered the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Osogbo, to conduct a discreet investigation into the root cause of the confrontation.
“It is pertinent to recall that in a press statement from the NPF, Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/257 dated 15th October 2023, IGP Holds Strategic Conference with Senior Police Officers, Emphasizes Professionalism and Camaraderie, the IGP stressed the core importance of synergy for efficiency and productivity among security operatives, stating, ‘At this moment, I must stress the importance of esprit de corps – the spirit of camaraderie, teamwork, and shared purpose that binds us within our organisation and with our colleagues across other agencies. It is essential for the successful execution of our duties that we honour and respect all colleagues and members of other services within the confines of the law.’
“The IGP, however, calls for calm, as the Nigeria Police Force under his leadership will continually work in collaboration with relevant sister security agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment for our dear country, Nigeria.”
