Juliana Francis
The Network on Police Reform (NOPRIN) has condemned the shooting of a civilian by Inspector Sunday Damak of the Plateau State Police Command.
The National Coordinator of NOPRIN, Mr. Emmanuel Ikule, alleged that Damak while under the influence of alcohol shot at and wounded a civilian with whom he had engaged in a political argument.
Ikule said that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) confers on the Nigeria Police Force the duty to maintain law and order and keep the peace of the country.
He added: “The Constitution also provides for Fundamental Human Rights for all people of Nigeria, including the right to life.
“The use of lethal or potentially lethal force by Police officers is authorized under some circumstances of which these circumstances are strictly regulated by law. Hence, Inspector Sunday Demak in firing a bullet at a civilian breached the Police Oath as contained in the Oaths Act and has failed in his primary duty amongst others to protect the lives and property of persons in Nigeria as clearly stated in the Police Act 2020 and other enabling laws including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Inspector Sunday Damak conduct breached the duty of care, trust and confidence reposed on him by the good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Ikule, while appreciating the efforts of the Plateau State Police Command for its swift response in administratively trying to discipline the erring Police Officer and hoped that the full weight of the law will be utilised in disciplining the Police Officer, including a criminal trial in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Ikule added: “This will serve as a deterrent to other Police Officers while boosting the confidence of the public in the Police. We call on Police Service Commission (PSC) to play its oversight role in policing the Police and bring to book erring officers especially the ones that acted unprofessionally during these elections as well as they ones that failed to appear at locations where they were deployed. We enjoin aggrieved members of the public to remain law abiding and assure the public that we would follow up with the Nigeria Police Force on this case to ensure that justice prevails.”
