x

Policeman allegedlly kills motorcyclist allegedly for not wearing face mask

A policeman Friday killed a motorcyclist in Imo State allegedly for not wearing a face mask as directed by the Nigerian Government to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Imo State police spokesman Godson Orlando while confirming the “unethical and unprofessional infraction” said the officer responsible for the shooting has been arrested and taken into custody.

Orlando, however, did not give the name of the trigger-happy officer.

He said the killing which has led to unrest around the metropolis led to the macheting of one Sargent Awusu Henry by angry youths.

“Young pple (sic) in the neighbourhood took umbrage. Some unrest has bn ongoing in & around Orlu since today,” Chidi Odinkalu, a former boss of Nigerian Human Rights Commission said.

Nigerian security forces have been in the past months accused of using excessive lethal force by United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings.

As at April, at least 18 people in Nigeria were killed by security forces during the enforcement of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, Nigerian Human Rights Commission said.

In a report released April, the NHRC said it had received and documented “105 complaints of incidents of human rights violations perpetrated by security forces” in 24 of Nigeria’s 36 states and Abuja, the capital.

The NHRC said in a statement dated April 15 that there had been “eight documented incidents of extrajudicial killings leading to 18 deaths” between March 30 and April 13.

As at when the NHRC report was released Nigeria only had 400 confirmed cases, including 12 deaths which means the number of deaths caused by the security operatives during the same time was higher than the recorded toll from COVID-19.

“Law enforcement agents extrajudicially executed 18 persons in the cause of the enforcement regulations,” executive secretary of NHRC Tony Ojukwu said in a statement in May.

Ojukwu accused the security agents of “excessive or disproportionate use of force, abuse of power, corruption and non-adherence to national and international laws, best practices and rules of engagement.”

Police spokesman Frank Mba told the AFP news agency that police authorities would not condone any abuses or infractions against its officers, adding that recently an officer who extorted money from a civilian was punished and made to refund it to the owner.

He said the police would continue to enforce the lockdown measures professionally and in line with international best practices.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Former Plateau Governor’s Aide Calls for Unity in PDP Amid Internal Rifts

By Israel Adamu, Jos A media consultant to former Plateau...

Kaduna Journalist Decries Threats to Life Over Report on Security Raids

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Kaduna-based investigative journalist, Mr. Idibia U.A....

Sokoto State Flags Off Landmark Gas Cylinder Distribution Program

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The Sokoto State Government, in collaboration...

Advancing China-Africa Relations: Second Post-FOCAC Forum Holds in Abuja

The Centre for Contemporary Africa-China Research in Nigeria on...

Kaduna: Security Operatives Raid Hotels, Arrest Dozens of Suspects

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Security operatives, suspected to be members...

17 States Set to Celebrate Olympic Day Across Nigeria on June 28

As the June 28, 2025, Olympic Day approaches, 17...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img