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Apo Killings: The Police and Scapegoatism By James Okechukwu Dear Sir Allow me a space in this your widely read website to make my contribution to one of the most important cases of human rights violations in our dear country. On the 8th of June some policemen were alleged to have killed some Nigerians suspected to be armed robbers. As in most democracies the people of Apo irrespective of their primodial backgrounds rose against that alleged brutality and the Police authorities were forced to set up an inquiry. The Police were caught unawares and were therefore not prepared for the outcome of making their investigations public. There were revelations at the inquiry in which the Police washed "their dirty linens in public". Suddenly another internal investigation was set up because it became obvious that the police authorities could not manage the public outcry. The Division Police Officer, CSP Abdulsalam Othman who had been free and going about his normal duties since the 8th of June was invited to the Police Headquarters. He drove himself to the headquarters, he was not arrested and there was no order verbal or written for his arrest or detention. He went into the secretariat of the DIG in charge of investigations and one other officer in the name of CSP Lawan Ado was directed to take his statement along with many other officers and men in the hall. Everyone was going in and coming out without any hindrance. CSP Abdussalam Othman casually told CSP Lawan Ado that he was going to pray like other people in the hall. As there was no order verbal or written that he was under detention or arrest and since they are of the same rank the latter had to allow the former to go to the rest room as other officers and men have been doing within the couple of hours. CSP Othman used that opportunity to sneak away. Several questions need to be asked. Why was CSP Othman not detained or his movement restricted since the beginning of investigations? Why was CSP Lawan Ado not given any order verbal or written to detain or arrest CSP Othman? In fact why should a fellow CSP investigate another CSP? Why did it take the police headquarters so long before the invitation of CSP Othman, why was he not even arrested and brought to the station but was allowed to drive in casually? Why is it that immediately he ran away, CSP Ado was suspended and then detained? Why is it that CSP Ado since his suspension and detention at the force headquarters has not been interviewed by any superior officer and yet they are preparing a report on him? Why is it that CSP Ado has been denied his fundamental human right of fair hearing and then locked up? Why is it that the Police Authorities have been dishing out press statement passing the buck to CSP Ado? We may never have answers to some of these questions hence as citizens we have right to continue speculating more especially as others are denied their rights and they have no solace in any institution. The public outcry against the brutal Apo incidence has indeed dented the image of the police and therefore its leaders are looking for an exit to save their faces hence any small fish could be sacrificed. According to established procedure an officer cannot be suspended without a query and it is only the Police Service Commission that can suspend. The Police Authorities are aware that procedures could be flaunted hence they can sacrifice any small fish who would have to take time to get his right redressed. And he might even be distressed beyond rehabilitation by the time commission reacts. The authorities hurriedly suspended and detained CSP Ado because they are aware that he cannot do anything to them and he has no voice in Nigeria. By the time they release him they would have come out with their Kangaroo report which as a powerless person he cannot challenge. The Apo six are lucky because they have the media behind them if not they would have been forgotten by now. The media should please come to the aid of CSP Ado so that the Police Force would be forced to sanitize itself. As Nigeria is moving to full scale democratization it has become incumbent on all civil society organizations to insist on a civilized police that is accountable to itself and the public. The police must sanitize itself by following established procedures in discharging its responsibilities. The authorities must not be allowed to operate with impunity by denying junior officers and men their fundamental human rights this is because such an immoral attitude dampens their spirits and impairs their ability to perform their duties with integrity. An ill motivated officer corps cannot discharge their responsibilities in a democratic environment. In as much as we want to pursue justice for the Apo six we cannot allow the police authorities to use scapegoatism to escape and destroy the career of promising officers and men. This attitude if not checked would continue to destroy the police establishment and we shall remain in the same circle and God forbid we may have more of Apo six! James Okechukwu Shop Keeper Apo Village Abuja
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