It is a welcome development that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. M.D Abubakar, has ordered a full-scale investigation into unacceptable incident in Rivers State in which the police was alleged to have shot at the serving Senator Magnus Abe and allegedly killed three children, at a planned rally.

The probe by the high police command is even more urgent in view of the fact that another peaceful gathering of citizens was violently disrupted again this last weekend.  Media men and women were also assaulted in the recent avoidable violence.

The Inspector General (I.G) probe must see the light of the day. The outcome of this probe must certainly put an end to a dangerous impression of perceived selective unfair handling of all political actors by the police in Rivers State under Commissioner Mr. Joseph Mbu.

We recall that early in 2013 the IG commendably launched an historic Code of Conduct for the police to enhance efficiency and service delivery.  Mr. Joseph Mbu like all other State Police Commissioners must have subscribed to this Code of Conduct.  The mission of the Code of Conduct is to among others deliver  quality police service that “is accessible to the generality of the people and ensure a lasting trust in the police by members of the public; irrespective of religious, political, social or economic standing.” The code also demands that “all citizens will be treated equally with courtesy, consideration and dignity. Officers will never allow personal feelings, animosities or friendships to influence official conduct.”

There is no doubt that Mr. Joseph Mbu’s activities in Rivers State depart from the spirit and content of the adopted Code of Conduct. We see how citizens including media men and women are being maltreated and without courtesy at legitimate assemblies.

We call on the Inspector General of Police to urgently remind his state commissioners as well as the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs)  throughout the country to obey the police CODE OF CONDUCT and discharge their responsibility to all stakeholders in Nigerian project with fairness and justice.

The third Principle of the Police Code of conduct mandates all police officers to be impartial and above partisanship. The NPF should not take the public confidence for granted. People will cooperate with the police force that respect their liberty and accord them courtesy and dignity. Conversely people are capable of self-help which will not be in interest of the police. The recent mass protest of the Ogoni youths in the wake of the incident involving Senator Abe shows that the police cannot take the public for granted. It also shows that the conduct of Mr. Joseph Mbu is counter-productive even to the police. The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) must win and retain the confidence of the public.

In a democracy, contestation and cooperation among political parties and actors are normal. The job of the police is to protect civil liberties and not be an obstacle to self expression of some stakeholders.

ISSA AREMU mni