Acting Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, has warned police personnel to shun activities that go against the mandates of the force, especially extra-judicial killing.

Mohammed gave the warning when he visited Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, following the recent cases of extra-judicial killings recorded in the state.

The IGP said it was on record that police officers in the state have been performing creditably well.

He, however, decried the activities of those he said were a few unscrupulous ones denting the good work of others.

On the purpose of his visit, Mohammed said, “I came to pay a courtesy visit to the governor because I am in Lagos State to see the officers and men of the Nigerian Police.

“I came to talk to them on good behaviour and to remind them of ethics of the job. We are to serve members of the public; we are not their masters, we are their servants.”

The police boss commended Governor Ambode for his support to the command and other security agencies in Lagos, saying many successes have been recorded in keeping the state safe.

According to him, the governor is the Chief Security Officer in the state and all his policies towards fighting crime have been implemented by the Nigerian Police Force.

Responding, Governor Ambode commended the IGP for taking it upon himself to promptly address the extra-judicial killings in the state personally.

He said the visit showed responsiveness and seriousness with which the issue was being handled by the police boss.

The governor said, “I want to commend the IG for this visit. Beyond the fact that this is a courtesy visit and like he has said, he is coming promptly to address the issue of extra-judicial killings that have actually taken place in the last few weeks.”

“So, for the IG to come promptly himself to address issues that relate to public feelings about SARS and actually talking to the officers and men, that means he is taking the responsiveness within the Nigerian Police seriously before we start to address extra issues that border on the citizens.”

Also, the recent shooting and killing of civilians by trigger happy police officers may have landed seniors police officers in the positions of Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Unit Heads in trouble in Lagos State.

Adamu, who warned them that hence forth they will be held responsible for lack of supervision if there is any killing of civilians in their sections, Divisions and Area Commands.

He had said any police officer found liable for misuse of power which resulted in the death, injury or indignity of citizens, would be dismissed from service and prosecuted in court for criminal offence.

Adamu , who said he visited the Command over the recent killing of civilians by the police, expressed concern over the act.

While delivering his speech during his official visit to Lagos State, he also said the line supervisors of such officer, including the Area Commander, Divisional Police Officer or Sectional Heads, would be sanctioned for lacking supervision.

The IGP, expressing his condolences to the bereaved families of the victims of the misuse of firearms in the state, said the recent abuse of power by some police officers in the state was against the statutory provisions of the Nigeria Police Force.

He said an administrative approach had been put in place to re- orientate personnel to enable them function in line with professional conducts.

Adamu said, “My visit become expedient in view of the recent trend of unprofessional conducts by some personnel who, in utter disregard of their professional training , international protocols , constitutional dictates, Force policies and ethical standards, have continued to drag the Force into acts that pitch us against the citizens we were engaged, paid and statutorily obligated to serve and protect .
“ From January to April, 2019, Lagos State has recorded four incidents of misuse of firearms which resulted in extrajudicial killings of young citizens of this country and injury to others. I must emphasise that enough is enough. The nation and indeed the Police under the current leadership can no longer tolerate abuse associated with the police either in Lagos or any other part of the country.
“I have already ordered that a signal be circulated to all Police Commands and Formations, warning of dire consequences against any personnel that by their incorrigible acts, deviate from accepted police culture and values.
“Our visit is to reinforce the extant Force Accountable Policy which holds any officer professionally and criminally liable for the consequences of their actions, particularly, if such misuse of power resulted into the death, injury or indignity of citizens.
“Towards this end, I am sounding this note of warning loud and clear that any police personnel that insists on being incorrigible by engaging in abuse of his or her powers or misuses his weapons with fatal outcomes and in utter disregard of statutory provisions will be arrested, investigated through our internal disciplinary machinery and if found culpable, shall be dismissed from service. In addition, such personnel will be charged to court for murder or sundry offences depending on his or her level of criminal liability in the instance.
“Furthermore, the line supervisors of such officer, including the Area Commander, Divisional Police Officer or Sectional Head, shall be held vicariously liable for lacking supervision and shall, be similarly sanctioned.