Delta: Cop caught on video shooting at vehicle tyre arrested

From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri

A police officer attached to the Delta State Police Command, caught on viral video shooting at a moving vehicle, has been identified and arrested.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, ordered the arrest after the command became aware of the viral video, state Police Public Relations Officer SP Bright Edafe said in a statement on Wednesday.

He said that after a careful examination of the video clip, it is clear that the policemen acted in an unprofessional manner, unbecoming of a police officer.

The Command, he said, condemned his act in totality as no policeman has the right to use his firearm without recourse to Force Order 237.

“It is the duty of every Nigerian Police officer to protect lives and property and not to put the life of anybody in danger.

“The erring Police officer has been identified, summoned and detained at the Command headquarters.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has directed that internal disciplinary action be initiated immediately, and at the end, the officer has been taken into custody, queried, and an investigation has commenced,” the statement reads.

Edafe said that the Command reiterated that, although the Policeman was responding to a case of a hit-and-run accident, no policeman is allowed to use his firearm without justification, as stipulated in Force Order 237.

The CP assured members of the public that the officer concerned will be dealt with in accordance with the extant laws as stipulated in the Police Act and regulations to serve as a deterrent to others.

The CP emphasised that protection of life and property in the State remains the priority of the Command.