Lawyer Backs IGP On Rifle-carrying Officers In Mufti

An Umuahia-based public affairs analyst and legal practitioner, Suleman Ukandu, has expressed support for the inspector-general of police, Kayode Egbetokun’s directive that officers in mufti should no longer carry rifles.

Ukandu spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday in the Abia State capital sequel to the directive which was conveyed by the force public relations officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

He described the ban as a timely development that would go a long way to address issues such as mistaken identity and sanitising and entrenching discipline in the Police.

The analyst underscored the need for the officers to abide by the directive and to display professionalism in the discharge of their duties to sustain the confidence people placed on them.

He argued that beyond the ban, there should be order and identification procedures of the police, noting that a situation where a suspect could be whisked away by officers in multi is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, the state commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa has stressed continued partnership between the police and the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria to ensure fairness and due process in investigation procedures.

Isa stated this when the council, led by the director general, Aliyu Abubakar, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the command’s headquarters in the state capital.

Earlier, the director general of the council expressed their desire to strengthen collaboration and partnership with the police as principal partners for effective justice delivery.