By Linus Aleke
Social media is fast becoming a major source of news in the ever-growing digital and technological world.
A reporter or editor that ignores the social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp, amongst others, as a veritable news source, simply lays the foundation for his or her journey into obscurity in modern journalistic ecosystems.
Print and online spaces, as well as sound bites from electronic mediums, are replete with attributions such as, “In his verified Twitter handle,” according to information on his verified Facebook page,” etc.
This is, however, not the kernel of this discourse, but just a prelude to the topic under scrutiny.
But what then is this topic under scrutiny, “Social media quakes, as NPF dismisses three erring officers”. What was the offence of these three erring officers?
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in a statement signed by its spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the following reasons for their dismissal to include offences of discreditable conduct to wit misuse of firearms, abuse of power, gross indiscipline, and wastage of live ammunition.
According to the statement, “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 trio, Inspector Dahiru Shuaibu, Sgt. Abdullahi Badamasi and Sgt Isah Danladi were 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.”
Adejobi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said the act was not only criminal and unprofessional but also embarrassing to the Force and the nation at large.
The Nigeria Police Force, he said, warned all officers to ensure they carry out their duties in line with the extant laws to avoid running afoul of its provisions and attracting attendant sanctions.
The NPF, therefore, tasked, supervising officers to ensure continuous and detailed lectures of their men to ensure they are well acquainted with all necessary standard operating procedures.
Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media reacted angrily and joyously to the news of the dismissal of the recalcitrant officers by police authorities.
Opinion diversity also played a vital role in this spontaneous but tempestuous reaction of citizens over the deployment of maximum punishment by the police authorities.
Some are for, while some are against. The beauty of democracy is displayed. Freedom to hold and express opinion without oppression by the state, or other forces masquerading as whatever.
However, it is instructive to note that one hardly can dismantle the foundation upon which each divide draws its strength to roar against or in favour of the verdict of the police authorities on the erring officers.
For instance, a Facebook user, Mr Emmanuel Escobar, frowned at the decision of the authorities of the Nigerian Police Force to apply a stick on its erring officers.
He argued, “Outright dismissal is not advised for such level of offence. Dismissing men that were highly trained with tax payers’ money in the handling of weapons and security breaching procedures into a country where there is no job and high poverty rate can push them into serious criminal activities”.
Emma, further argued, “Other erring officers commit far worse offences and don’t get dismissed.”
He counselled, “Demotion and salary deduction would have been a better option, may Nigeria succeed.”
The danger of letting loose men trained in weapon handling is not only humongous but extremely dangerous. But why, because they are not only skilful in the handling of the weapon of oppression but also possess the knowledge to outwit the mechanisms put in place by authorities to checkmate crime in society.
Agreeing with the above pontifications, another Facebook user, Mr. Michael Ndukwe, said, “There should be a better way of disciplining errant officers. I appreciate the zeal and leadership courage to stamp out indiscipline among officers but only God knows what these will turn into, now they have been released”.
He further explained, “Remember, they were trained to use firearms and not hair clippers or guitars. Except if part of their release from the force will entail helping them transit into a safe and socially responsible venture”.
But countering the above thought processes, Mr Oladele Joseph, on his verified Facebook page, said, “Every organisation sets its rules, orders, ethics, and rules of engagement. So, let erring officers face the music according to the established laws of the police institution.”
Meanwhile, another Facebook user, Mr Jamil Abdulrahaman, accused the NPF of selective justice.
According to him, “What about the police that shot an innocent man to death last week in Jos? Double standard judgement. Nigerian police need total overhauling.”
Owope Yemi another Facebook user, chose a middle ground on the issue.
He said, “They could have been relegated to facility management or desk duties, this is dangerous to the society.”
On his part, Mr Solomon Adebayo, a Facebook user, said, “Shame on Nigeria Police. Attaching three mobile policemen to a musician in Kano as an escort.”
In his reaction, Mr Ezekiel Fwangder, said, “What about those three Police Officers caught on video slapping, assaulting a civilian?”
Regrettably, this dismissal is happening in the face of the NPF authorities’ inability to meet the United Nations (UN) standard for the police to population, which is one police officer for every 450 citizens.
It is on the premise of the aforesaid that becomes pertinent to conclude that the police authorities should not be quick to deplete the inadequate population of the force in the guise of discipline.
