The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says three officers assigned to a singer in Kano state known as ‘Rarara’ have been fired for alleged misconduct and misuse of firearms.
According to Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force’s spokesperson, the officers were fired after complaints and video evidence of their alleged misconduct were published on social media on April 7.
Adejobi asserted that the officers fired their official firearms into the air despite the fact that they were in a public area with children present.
He described the act as unprofessional, adding that it was an embarrassment to the police force.
“After 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 statement reads.
“The trio, Inspr. Dahiru Shuaibu, Sgt. Abdullahi Badamasi, and Sgt. Isah Danladi was 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.”
The Force spokesperson urged supervising officers to ensure that officers receive proper training on standard operating procedures.