The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed three officers found guilty of high-handedness in the process of carrying out their duties. On the 7th of April 2023, complaints and findings surfaced on social media regarding the high-handedness, unprofessional conduct, and misuse of firearms by some policemen from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 1 in Kano.
Video evidence of the incident circulated widely on social media, prompting an investigation into the matter. As a result, a follow-up orderly room trial was conducted by the Force Provost Marshal, which led to the dismissal of three officers from the SPU Base 1 Kano.
The three officers, Inspr. Dahiru Shuaibu, Sgt. Abdullahi Badamasi, and Sgt. Isah Danladi, were attached to a musician in Kano and were responsible for providing escort duties.
While carrying out their duties on the 7th of April, 2023 at Kahutu Village in Katsina State, the officers repeatedly fired shots from their official firearms into the air, in violation of police policy against firing in the air, standard operating procedures, and relevant Force Orders.
Nigeria Police Force Release Statement
In a statement released Thursday, April 13 2023, Force Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the dismissal of the three men from the force, noted that the officers’ reckless and irresponsible act disregarded the possible risk to the crowd at the location, including children. He also explained that the officers’ actions were not only criminal and unprofessional, but they were also embarrassing to the Force and the nation as a whole.
Jerrymusa.com quotes CSP Adejobi as saying: “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, Inspr. 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 warms 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”, he concluded.
Final Thoughts
The Nigeria Police Force Spokesman also used the opportunity to encourages the public to continue to report any acts of misconduct or abuse of power by its officers.
He reiterated the Force’s commitment to ensuring that all officers who violate the law and the standards of professionalism and discipline expected of them are held accountable for their actions.