Police warn Nigerians against assaulting officers on duty

The Cross River State Police Command has called on Nigerians to respect law enforcement officers and stop assaulting policemen carrying out their lawful duties.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, speaking to The PUNCH on Thursday in Calabar, said that while the police uniform is a symbol of public authority, there are human beings behind every badge who risk their lives daily to respond to emergencies, prevent crime and maintain public order.

He expressed concern over increasing cases of assault, obstruction and violent resistance against officers on duty, warning that such acts undermined not just the individual officer but the authority of the state.

Eitokpah said, “Every day, police officers leave their homes to respond to emergencies, prevent crime, protect lives and property, maintain public order and enforce the law.

“Yet, increasingly, there are disturbing instances in which officers are assaulted, obstructed or violently resisted while carrying out their duties.”

He reminded the public that Section 98 of the Police Act 2020 provides that any person who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer in the discharge of his duty commits an offence punishable by a fine of N500,000, imprisonment for six months, or both.

He, however, noted that respect for the police must not be confused with immunity from accountability.

Where a police officer is alleged to have acted unlawfully, abused his powers or violated the rights of a citizen, the appropriate response is to report the matter and pursue lawful redress through appropriate channels such as the National Human Rights Commission,” he said.

The command’s spokesman stressed that no citizen was above the law, just as no police officer was above the law.

He called for a balance in which citizens understand that disagreement with an officer does not justify violence, while officers must act professionally and respect human dignity.

“We must therefore resist two dangerous extremes: the idea that every police action should be accepted without question, and the equally dangerous idea that frustration with the police justifies attacking officers. Neither serves justice,” he added.

The PPRO further urged citizens to report misconduct, seek legal redress if an arrest is believed to be unlawful, and pursue genuine complaints through appropriate channels rather than resorting to violence.

He also charged police officers to see every encounter with citizens as an opportunity to strengthen public confidence, noting that the uniform demands discipline and the badge, responsibility.

“Ultimately, the protection of police officers and the protection of citizens are not opposing causes. They are part of the same objective: a society governed by law rather than force,” he added.