Granting unchecked powers to police to use deadly force creates high risk, Right activist, Agberen to IGP Disu

A Warri based human right activist, Comrade (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen today countered the Inspector -General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu saying, "If officers who display such bias and misconduct are granted sweeping authority to use lethal force, the consequences for innocent citizens could be catastrophic."

In a statement sent to DAILY POST Correspondent in Warri, Agberen warned that, "We must be extremely cautious about granting absolute powers that can be easily misused" to Policemen. He stressed,"The lives of innocent Nigerians depend on it."

According to him,"The law is clear. Police officers may use firearms only when there is an imminent threat to life, and strictly as a last resort. Granting unchecked powers to use deadly force creates a high risk of abuse, including extrajudicial killings and the planting of evidence to justify them." 

It would be recalled that the Inspector -General of Police,IGP Olatunji Disu ordered policemen to shoot at sight anyone found with firearms. 

Agberen pointed out that,"Just this week, four officers were paraded for allegedly attempting to extort a motorist with valid vehicle documents. Reports indicate they demanded money, and one officer was heard threatening the driver with harsher treatment based on ethnicity.