As the shoot-at-sight order issued by the acting Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman continues to generate reactions, the Anambra Police Command has said the order was not targeted at innocent and lawful citizens in the South East.
Baba, while speaking on the sideline while addressing the Police Mobile Force and Special Tactical Squad of the Force in Enugu after launching Operation Restore Peace, directed police officers in the region not to adhere to the rules of engagement while dealing with Biafra secessionist groups, Punch reports.
He added that his job was to protect them.
“Don’t mind the media shout; do the job I command you. If anyone accuses you of human rights violation, the report will come to my table and you know what I will do. So, take the battle to them wherever they are and kill them all. Don’t wait for an order.
“What another order are you waiting for when Mr President had ordered you to shoot anybody carrying an AK-47 rifle? Quote me, even a dead policeman can be tried and dismissed from the force and his family will not get his benefits.
“So, don’t sit and wait for them to come; take the attack to them and don’t lose your arms to criminals,” the acting IGP said.
Afenifere, the Apex Yoruba socio-political organisation, described the shoot-at-sight order as reckless and undemocratic.
But in a statement on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, the command said the IGP gave the order to police personnel to take the war against crime to criminals and raid their dens.
Ikenga said the order was a deliberate effort by the Police High Command to stabilise the security order in the South East.
He said the operation ‘Restore Peace’ was formed essentially to implement the objective, adding that the current high command was deeply concerned about the recent spike of crime in the zone, most especially, deliberate attacks on security agents and national assets.
“The operation is unique and targeted to restore peace, law and order. We, therefore, urge Anambra residents to work with the Police and other security agents.
“I want to assure everybody that this operation is people-driven, and at every time, shall be reviewed to address issues.
“It is not against innocent and lawful members of the society,” he explained.
