YNaija Says: The Nigerian Police must account for the woman killed at Onipanu

Yesterday evening, policemen shot a woman dead at the Onipanu area of Lagos State while trying to shoot an alleged online fraudster, popularly known as “Yahoo-Yahoo”. This reckless action of theirs has left an innocent woman dead and her family without a wife and a mother – she was with her 14-year old son when she was shot dead.

The Nigeria Police Force must bring that erring policeman, who has already been identified as TBoy from Onipanu Police Station to justice. This will be an example to other police officers and security agents that they cannot be reckless in their actions and endanger the lives of the very people they are meant to protect.

This incident is not an isolated act – there have been numerous cases of policemen opening fire on protesting students and workers or for not giving them bribes, or for many other frivolous reasons. Each time, the Police Force sits out the outrage and sweeps it under the carpet without the policemen at fault ever charged with their crimes or punished.

The Police Force must read the Riot Act to its members that their job is to preserve the sanctity of lives and properties, and not to use their positions to harass, intimidate and terrorise citizens. They must be guided by the law at all times.

Not only that, there is need to properly train them on rules of engagement when it comes to the use of firearms. There is no justification for opening fire on a suspect in an area with people, especially when it is not in defence. It is this action that has led to the death of the woman in Onipanu through shooting a suspect who did not first open fire on them in a crowded area.

The Nigeria Police Force must also be firm on disciplinary measures for erring cops and not attempt to shield them from prosecution for their actions. Cops on trial for actions that led to the deaths of people or grievously injured them should be suspended without pay until the conclusion of their trials.

If the Police is serious about reforming the Force, it must not allow space for bad eggs and reckless members within it. Without ridding itself of such people, it will continue to retain its bad reputation.

Like other members of the public, we are following this situation closely to see how the Police acts in identifying the cop responsible for the woman’s death and how they proceed from there.

Anything short of arraigning him before court in order to face justice will not be acceptable.  

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