PRESIDENT BUHARI’S ORDER TO THE POLICE TO SHOOT PERSONS WITH AK-47 GUNS IS EXTRA-JUDICIAL AND ILLEGAL

SPN prefers the arrest, investigation and prosecution of criminals with illegal possession of arms

The Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) condemns President Buhari’s order to the Police to shoot persons found illegally with AK-47 and any other assault weapons. This order is illegal, crude and barbaric. President Buhari should stop treating Nigeria like a conquered territory and citizens as slaves.

The most professional way to handle crime is to arrest, investigate and prosecute those found with illegal possession of guns used for criminal activities. Moreover, through a proper investigation, the police will not only be able to arrest, prosecute criminals but also bring to justice accomplices and collaborators including arms dealers.

Anything outside of this will be tantamount to extra-judicial killing and does not have a place in modern society and order. We equally hold that ‘shoot-on-sight’ when there is no exchange of gunshots, shows weakness and cowardice of the government and the security force because it is the easiest thing to do. Again, a ‘shoot-on-sight’ order in a country wherein the Police are under-funded and under-trained will serve as an opportunity for criminal security personnel to justify all extrajudicial killings including innocent Nigerians killed.

We also condemn the incessant attack on peaceful protestors including the millitarisation of notable cities, specifically in the South-Western states, which we believed was conceived for the purpose of attacking peaceful protesters who have planned a peaceful protest on June 12 in order to publicly state their dissatisfaction against anti-poor policies of Buhari government and its failure over the rising state of insecurity. The SPN demands an unconditional respect for the democratic right of Nigerians to embark on peaceful protests and the freedom of expression.

We hereby demand the withdrawal of all armed police officers deployed to Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo Ogun, Abuja and elsewhere in the country over the June 12 protest. Those armed police officers are better useful against banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes including looters in government. We also demand the withdrawal of the ‘shoot-on-sight’ order while we caution the Nigerian Police against any form of action reminiscent of dictatorship and attacks on democratic rights.

Abiodun Bamigboye                                                                 Chinedu Bosah

Acting National Chairperson                                                    National Secretary

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.socialistpartyofnigeria.org.ng