No excuse for wrong use of firearms, Imo CP warns officers

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has warned officers and men of the command against the improper use of firearms, reminding them that there is no such thing as an accidental discharge in the police force.

CP Danjuma issued the warning at a one-day intensive and enhanced training session on the skilful use of firearms, weapon safety, and combat manoeuvres for effective operations, organised by the command for its officers.

The training was held at the command’s headquarters in Owerri on Tuesday and was anchored by CSP Abdullahi Wase, the second-in-command of the 18 Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Owerri.

The police boss stressed that any act involving a police officer that leads to the death of another “shall be regarded as absolute carelessness and negligence on the part of the offending officer, and it shall be treated as murder. 

Therefore, there is no room for mistakes in the use of firearms. Every police officer must be proficient and professional in the use of their firearms. The firearms or weapons you have are meant to be used to protect the citizens and not to be used to harass or intimidate them,” the CP warned.

Earlier, while speaking during the training, CSP Wase said, “The essence of the training is to ensure that officers and men of the command abide strictly with the protocol of weapon safety at all times to prevent accident or eventual fatality.”

The participants, drawn from all tactical units and divisions of the command, were exposed to modern techniques and practices related to marksmanship, firearms handling, shooting techniques, tactical firing, and other strategic techniques for using various types of weaponry.

The training had in attendance the top management team of the command, including the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Administration and Finance, DCP Hammajoda Barka; ACP Michael Abattam, Area Commander, Owerri Metro; ACP Linus Nwaiwu, Head, IGP X-Squad Unit; ACP Muhammad Gana, Commander, 18PMF, Owerri; ACP Danasumi Ibrahim, Commander, 64 PMF, Orlu; and ACP Dan Iruakazi of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, among others.