The House of Representatives on Thursday directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu to appear before it to throw light on recurring cases of extra-judicial killings in the guise of accidental discharges by policemen and personnel of other security agencies.
The House resolution followed a Motion of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by Deputy Whip Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (APC Abia), Ozuruigbo Ugonna (PDP Imo) and Princess Miriam Onuoha (APC Imo).
Onyejeocha urged the House to summon the police chief to brief the lawmakers on the increasing cases of accidental discharge deaths.
She condemned “in its entirety …accidental discharges, wrongful use of firearms and commiserate with the families of victims”.
The lawmaker advised the House to “mandate the IGP to investigate and bring to justice the culprits in the killing of Ndubuisi Emenike and indeed the killing attributed to wrongful use firearms by security agents”.
Onyejeocha also ask the House to direct “the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Armed Forces and all other security agencies authorised to carry firearms to desist, be prohibited from shooting, discharging firearms for amusement, celebrations, jubilation or otherwise other than for the purpose of protection of lives and properties”.
The House, she said, should “mandate the House Committees on Police Affairs, Interior and other relevant House committees to invite Adamu, Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the other stakeholders to brief the House of Representatives on measures being taken to ensure that these incidents are forestalled and culprits face the weight of the law”.
She recounted several cases where some security agencies “used their firearms for purposes other than the protection of lives and properties, including but not limited to discharging, shooting at public events, such as rallies, weddings, burials, among others, often for amusement or wild celebrations”.
The lawmaker suggested that the House investigate the accidental discharge that happened in Imo State in which Emenike was killed and commiserate with his family.
The House also adopted a similar motion by Solomon Maren (PDP), urging the police to stop killings in Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
