The Delta State police command has detained some of its trigger-happy officers for shooting some vigilante leaders of Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state and two others.
Disclosing this on Friday, in a press release issued by its public relations officer, DSP Bright Edafe, on its official X handle, the command stated that the commissioner of police, Abaniwonda Olufemi, ordered their detention as well as an investigation into the incident and subsequent disciplinary action.
The commissioner warned other officers that trampling on the rights of citizens will not be tolerated while urging them to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
It read, “The Command is aware of a publication making rounds in some sections of the media of an alleged shooting by Policemen at Idjerhe kingdom in Ethiope West LGA.
“The Commissioner of Police Delta State CP Abaniwonda Olufemi has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police State Criminal Investigation Department to commence full-scale investigation into the incident, and the officers involved have been identified and detained while an internal disciplinary action has been initiated.
“The CP wishes to reiterate that it’s not in the character of the Command to trample on the rights of citizens, assault, or use their rifles without recourse to Force Order 237.
“He assures members of the public that the officers concerned will be decisively dealt with in accordance with the extant laws as stipulated in the Police Act and regulations to serve as a deterrent to others, noting that under his watch, such conduct by officers of the command will not be tolerated.
“He has therefore tasked officers and men to uphold the tenets of professional policing in the discharge of their duties with respect to the rights of all citizens in line with the provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) while hoping that the actions taken on the erring officers will serve as a deterrent to others.
“He appealed to members of the public, particularly indigenes of Idjerhe Kingdom, and the families of the injured vigilantes who are currently receiving treatment to remain calm and assure them of justice,” it added.