Police sack three personnel for misuse of firearms

Nigeria police have announced the outright dismissal of three out of the six officers arrested and summoned to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, last Tuesday, for trial over various offences ranging from abuse of firearms to physical assault of a motorist.

The policemen from the Rivers and Kano states command were arrested last Monday and transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday for disciplinary action over their poor conduct while on duty.

Three were arrested in Kano for shooting indiscriminately at civilians while escorting a popular local musician out of an arena, while the other three were apprehended for physically assaulting a motorist along the East-West Highway in Port Harcourt.

Both incidents were captured in videos which had gone viral hours after they were posted by unknown persons at the scenes of the various incidents.

Providing fresh update on the development at the trial, Thursday, Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said trial of the Kano policemen which had concluded since Wednesday, has returned a verdict of dismissal from the force of the affected officers who include; Sgt. Abdullahi Badamasi (said to have fired his pistol); Sgt. Isah Danladi; and Inspector Dahiru Shuaibu (said to have fired his rifle) all from the Kano Command.

Adejobi said the officers have now been dismissed from the Force service.

The fate of the other three arrested officers from the Rivers Command, including; Adejoh Siaka, Friday Obaka, as well as, Sgt. Ndiwa Kpuebari, is being awaited.

“Subsequent to 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 trio of Inspector Dahiru Shuaibu, Sgt. Abdullahi Badamasi, and Sgt. Isah Danladi were 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. Supervising officers have also been tasked to ensure continuous and detailed lectures of their men to ensure they are well acquainted with all necessary standard operating procedures,” an official statement confirming the dismissal signed by the Force spokesperson, Adejobi read, Thursday.

Meanwhile, the three other policemen attached to the Rivers Police Command who were also caught in a video brutalising a motorist in front of his wife over yet unknown offences will also know their fate after their own trial at the Force Headquarters had commenced, Wednesday.

It would be recalled that while providing further update, Adejobi, Wednesday, confirmed that internal trial of the accused officers had started with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkal personally interviewing them, adding that the outcome of the process will be made public soon.

“The IGP interviewed the policemen involved in the case personally today Wednesday and ordered the immediate trial of the men, while another member of the team who is at large be produced for necessary disciplinary action.

“The outcome of the trial will be made public as soon as possible. The inspector who was on t-shirt and jeans, with beards, has a very clean shave and put on camo to the FHQ. He couldn’t wear that operational outfit in the viral video.

“This is an indication that many of them who are deviants do whatever they do on the field with the belief that no one sees them. Hence, the need to expose them for any wrong doings.

“Also, the trial of the men from Kano who were firing to rub the ego of a Kano based musician has been concluded. I expect to have the report tomorrow for my press statement. Thanks,” Adejobi said.