A human rights activist in Delta State, Mr. Victor Ojei, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, demanding urgent action over recent cases of alleged police brutality and excessive use of force in the state.
The petition, which was copied to the Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, was made available to journalists in Asaba on Sunday.
In the document, Ojei, who is the Director General of the Young Nigerian Rights Organization, expressed deep concern over what he described as a troubling pattern of police misconduct, leading to the loss of innocent lives and severe injuries to citizens.
He highlighted specific incidents, stating, “These tragic events include, but are not limited to: the killing of a 17-year-old boy by a trigger-happy officer in Ozoro on December 6, 2024; the shooting of Nollywood cameraman, Don Oneopara, by the Delta-Hawk team on November 1, 2024, leaving him with severe injuries and no provision for his medical bills; and the suspicious death of a young man in Asaba from a head injury under questionable circumstances involving a police officer.”
Ojei emphasised that these actions violated the provisions of Police Force Order 237, which mandates the use of firearms as a last resort, focusing on demobilization rather than lethal force.
He noted that officers are instructed to aim to incapacitate and only resort to lethal measures when there is an imminent threat to life.
He called for thorough investigations into the incidents, adding that erring officers should be held accountable and prosecuted where necessary.
Ojei also referenced Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and stipulates that the use of force in exceptional circumstances must be both necessary and proportional.
He urged the Nigeria Police Force to ensure full compliance with Force Order 237 and recommended mandatory retraining for officers to emphasize firearms use as a last resort, prioritizing demobilization over lethal measures.
The activist further called for the establishment of transparent mechanisms for reporting police misconduct, alongside efforts to foster better community-police relations. He argued that such measures were crucial to rebuilding public trust in the police force.
“Community trust is essential for effective policing,” he said. “The Nigeria Police Force must act swiftly to restore confidence by addressing these troubling incidents and ensuring accountability.”