Juliana Francis
The Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, today chatted with security sector reporters about the concept of ‘Suicide by Police,’ asking how much they know about it.
According to the Office Justice Programs website, “Suicide by Cop is the term used by police officers for incidents in which an individual bent on killing himself, forces the police to use deadly force. Although there is little systematic evidence of this phenomenon, there is anecdotal data of a growing number of justifiable homicides in which police officers have shot an apparently armed individual only to find out later that the circumstances were victim precipitated.”
The site further stated that “psychologists believe people who commit suicide by cop are psychiatrically ill and choose this method in order to avoid the blame and stigma of causing their own death.”
According to Wikipedia, there are two categories of suicide by cop; the first is when a criminal, who is wanted for a crime, decides that he had rather die than go to prison. This set is not suicidal, but determined not to go to jail, will therefore provoke the police to kill them.
The second involves those who are already nurturing the idea of suicide and who deliberately provoke police into shooting them.
“These individuals may commit a crime with the specific intention of provoking a law enforcement response,” the article further stated.
The supposed victims most times will be heard goading the policemen, sneering or shouting, “You want to shoot me! Shoot me naaa. Try it! Kill me!”
Although Adejobi did not state the need for the sudden lecture on ‘Suicide by Police,’ julianafrancisnews.com feels it is connected to the recent series of physical attacks on policemen by civilians, even when these policemen are armed.
Many Nigerians have continued to attack law enforcement officers even when they are in uniform. This is despite the law stating that such should not be. Nigerians continue to flout this law.
The growing attacks on police personnel forced the IGP, Alkali Usman Baba to order that the law be enforced. Thus anyone who attacked police personnel will be arrested and charged in court.
Some Nigerians have fallen prey to this new directive, including a popular musician, Mr. Panshak Henry Zemani, otherwise known as Ice Prince.
The musician was said to have abducted, attacked and threatened an armed officer after he was flagged for driving a car without a number plate. If the policeman had not restrained himself and opened fire, Ice Prince would have been as dead as doornail. Ice Prince was remanded in prison custody.
Before Ice Prince’s case, a video surfaced on social media, where some men were seen fighting armed policemen. The reason for the physical combat was unknown, but one of the men in the video was heard shouting at the policemen, “If you touch my woman! If you touch my woman.”
It did not cross their minds that an armed policeman could suddenly start shooting if he feels his life was under threat. The three men and one woman were all arrested and charged to court.
Adejobi queried: “How much do you know of this concept of ‘Suicide by Police?’ We have constantly called the attention of our officers and men to this new development where someone will want to commit Suicide via the police. Intentionally, some people are ready to die but want a cop or cops to kill them.
“They frustrate cops to pull the trigger or kill them via any means. This is a global phenomenon that has been domesticated and practicable in Nigeria as well. We are faced with this challenge that many Nigerians don’t know about, and we need to educate both the police personnel and members of the public on it in order to first, manage our waves of anger and control our emotions. Second, to let people find out the psychology of crimes or incidences before castigating the police, or passing judgement.
“Third, to generally see this trend or development as a common challenge to us, and the need to enlighten our people and friends on this. We must see it as a duty to always liberate our people from depression, and social dislocation, among other factors, are the factors responsible for Suicide by Police. We will continue discussions on this.”
Joe Vargas article, ‘Suicide by Cop’ in Behind the Badge website, states that suicide by cops has become more challenging as suicide rates increases.
Vargas noted that the increase in suicide has created unique challenges for law enforcement and their response to these incidents.
Vargas said: “According to a report by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) early year from 2015 to 2018, there were approximately 900 to 1000 fatal officer-involved shootings in the United State. By various estimates, approximately 10 to 29 per cent or more of officer involved-shootings involved suicide by cop incidents.”
Suicide by Cop will continue to generate discourse, especially in Nigeria as policemen, who are the instrument of such yearnings of victims, have been trained to first think of their own safety.
This discourse should now begin to involve training for police personnel and how to calm a suicide intended victim.
In Nigeria, as the inflation rate continues to gallop, and many Nigerians find it difficult to meet their daily needs and meals, with many losing jobs, depression and suicide bids will soar.
The fact that Nigerians are witnessing more civilians physically attacking policemen, even when these policemen are armed, may not be unconnected to the socio-economic and insecurity situations in the country, leading to depression.
Now, more than ever, the Nigeria Police Personnel who are posted to highways, should be trained in diplomacy and managing a hostile situation.
