By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the dismissal of three of its officers for unprofessional misconduct, which included the misuse of firearms.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, made this disclosure on Thursday, 13 April, 2023, explaining that the dismissal of the policemen was subsequent to complaints and findings on a video which went viral on Friday, April 7, 2023.
Adejobi said the officers engaged in high-handedness, unprofessional conduct, and misuse of firearms.
The three cops, who were from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 1, Kano, were identified as Inspr. Dahiru Shuaibu, Sgt. Abdullahi Badamasi and Sgt. Isah Danladi.
According to Adejobi, the trio had undergone an orderly room trial conducted by the Force Provost Marshal, saying the “three officers from the SPU Base 1 Kano have been dismissed for the offences of discreditable conduct to wit misuse of firearms, abuse of power, gross indiscipline, and wastage of live ammunition.”
It was said that the men were attached to a musician in Kano on escort duties.
But, in the course of their duty on Friday, at Kahutu Village, Katsina State, they repeatedly fired shots from their official firearms into the air.
This, it was gathered, was in spite of police policy against firing in the air.
The conduct of the officers, it was said, disregarded the possible risk to the crowd at the location, including children.
“The act was not only criminal and unprofessional but also embarrassing to the Force and the nation at large,” Adejobi stated.
The NPF has, therefore, warned its officers to always carry out their duties in line with extant laws to avoid sanctions.
