LAGOS – The Police Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has said that no Nigerian has the right to confront policemen or retaliate even if the policeman slaps him/her ‘civilian’.
Speaking through his Twitter account, the Force PRO advised any such victim of Police brutality to rather file a complaint with the law enforcement agency.
He was reacting to a viral video of a man dragging a rifle with a policeman during a heated argument and suspicious molestation over his phone.
Adejobi further stated that if a person assault’s police personnel in uniform, it would be seen as ‘an act of disrespect to Nigeria.’
His words, “Even if a policeman on uniform slaps a civilian, the civilian has no right to retaliate. More so, if he’s on uniform, it’s an act of disrespect to Nigeria to beat an officer on uniform.
“The disrespect is not to the policeman but to our nation and it’s a crime as enshrined in our criminal laws.
“So, it’s not a case of what the policeman did that led to it, but the reaction of the civilians who actually assaulted the police.
“If police assault a civilian, you report and actions will be taken to rebuke him, not to take the law into your hands.” (sic)
“Let alone, it’s a matter of checking of phones, which can be easily reported and addressed. Now they are kept in our 5-star hotel in Lagos and will be in court on Monday.
“Are you going to visit them or send them food, or appear in court to defend them? Don’t support what is bad, ok”
First and Foremost, No Security Personnel is allowed to Check on Someone’s Phone, as directed by the IG of Police. Therefore, the officer in question asked for a Slap in Return. If it’s in the Law for a Police to Slap a Civilian, then it’s Justified, if not, a Civilian has the Right to Slamp back in Return. A Police Office must Respect himself or herself whenever they are in Uniform. Respect is Reciprocal. I rest my Case.