More disciplinary measures will end extrajudicial killings, Olajengbesi tells IGP

Pelumi Olajengbesi, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, says introduction of more disciplinary measures will end extrajudicial killings by police officers in the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, Olajengbesi, who is the managing partner at Law Corridor, commended Usman Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP), for maintaining strict disciplinary measures in the police force.

He said getting rid of errant and high-handed police officers will restore public confidence in the force.

Olajengbesi said if professionalism and strict discipline is sustained, the police force will witness a turnaround that will significantly reduce extrajudicial killings and abuse of firearms by officers.

The lawyer also commended the citizens and the media for having the courage to report cases of abuse by policemen all over the country.

“The IGP should not relent in sanitising the force. Evil thrives when it is not exposed or when there are no strict sanctions to serve as deterrence,” Olajengbesi said.

“The Nigerian people and the media should also be commended for having the courage to report cases of abuse by policemen and the outcries on social media which have spurred the many disciplinary actions taken against power-drunk, trigger-happy cops. Policemen are supposed to protect the masses and not to maul and exploit innocent Nigerians because they have riffles.”

On Tuesday, the Nigerian Police Force deranked one officer and reprimanded another for assaulting a civilian in Rivers.

In April, three officers were also dismissed over alleged misconduct and misuse of firearms.

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

The police also arrested an inspector over the alleged murder of one Onyeka Ibe in Delta state.

“In October 2022, seven senior police officers were dismissed and 10 officers demoted over alleged gross misconduct. In December 2022, the police in Imo state dismissed seven officers over alleged extortion in the state,” the lawyer said.

“At least, 31 policemen have been dismissed from service over various offences between April 2021 and October 2022 for offences like extra-judicial killings, extortion and brutality among others.”