Imo CP warns officers against misuse of firearms
Imo State Police Commissioner, Aboki Danjuma, has warned officers and men of the command against the improper use of firearms, reminding them that there is no such thing as accidental discharge in the police force.
Danjuma gave the warning during a one-day intensive and enhanced training on the skilful use of firearms, weapon safety, and combat manoeuvres for effective operations, organised by the command for its officers.
The training, held on Tuesday at the command’s headquarters in Owerri, was anchored by CSP Abdullahi Wase, the second in command of the 18 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Owerri.
The Imo police boss emphasised that any act by a police officer that leads to the death of another “shall be regarded as absolute carelessness and negligence on the part of the offending officer and it shall be treated as murder.”
He stated, “Therefore, there is no room for mistakes in the use of firearms. Every police officer must be proficient and very professional in the use of his or her firearms. The firearms or weapons you have are meant to be used to protect the citizens and not to harass or intimidate them.”
Earlier, CSP Wase said, “The essence of the training is to ensure that officers and men of the command abide strictly by the protocol of weapon safety at all times to prevent accidents or eventual fatalities.”
The participants, drawn from all the command’s tactical units and divisions, were exposed to modern techniques and practices related to marksmanship, firearms handling, shooting techniques, tactical firing, and strategic weaponry usage, among other topics.
The training had in attendance the top management team of the command, including the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Administration and Finance, DCP Hammajoda Barka; ACP Michael Abattam; Area Commander, Owerri Metro, ACP Linus Nwaiwu; Head of the IGP X-Squad Unit, ACP Muhammad Gana; Commander, 18 PMF, Owerri, ACP Danasumi Ibrahim; Commander, 64 PMF, Orlu, ACP Dan Iruakazi; and officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), among others.
