‘Embarrassing to the force’ — police dismiss 3 officers over ‘misuse of firearms’

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says three officers attached to a singer in the state identified as ‘Rarara’ have been dismissed over alleged misconduct and misuse of firearms.

In a statement on Thursday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said the officers were dismissed following complaints and video evidence of their alleged misconduct published on social media on April 7.

Adejobi said the officers shot from their official firearms into the air despite being in the public space where children were said to be among the crowd.

He described the act as unprofessional, adding that it was an embarrassment to the police force.

“After complaints and findings on video evidence widely circulated on Friday 7th April 2023, on social media of high-handedness, unprofessional conduct, and misuse of firearms against some policemen from Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 1, Kano, and a follow-up orderly room trial of the affected policemen by the force provost marshal. 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,” the statement reads.

“The trio, Inspr. Dahiru Shuaibu, Sgt. Abdullahi Badamasi, and Sgt. Isah Danladi was attached to a musician in Kano on escort duties.

“In the course of their duty on Friday 7th April 2023 at Kahutu village, Katsina state, the officers repeatedly fired shots from their official firearms into the air despite police policy against firing in the air, standard operating procedure, and relevant Force Orders; and disregarding the possible risk to the crowd at the location which included children.

“The act was not only criminal and unprofessional but also embarrassing to the force and the nation at large.
The Nigeria police force hereby warns all officers to ensure they carry out their duties in line with the extant laws to avoid running foul of its provisions and attracting attendant sanctions.”

The force spokesperson urged supervising officers to ensure officers are engaged in proper training on the standard of operating procedures.