NPF dismisses police officers shooting into air in viral video

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed three officers caught in a viral video firing into the air at Kahutu village in Katsina State.

The officers – Inspector Dahiru Shuaibu, Sergeant Abdullahi Badamasi, and Sergeant Isah Danladi, – who were attached to a popular Kano-based singer, Dauda Kahutu Rarara, were caught firing into the air with their pistols and AK-47 riffle while escorting the musician into his car at a ceremony in Katsina State.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement issued on Thursday, April 13, said the senior police officers have been dismissed for misuse of firearms, abuse of power, gross indiscipline, and wastage of live ammunition.

Adejobi noted that the police officers’ action was not only criminal and unprofessional but also embarrassing to the NPF and Nigeria at large.

The police spokesperson stated: “Subsequent to complaints and findings on video evidence widely circulated on Friday 7th April 2023, on social media of high-handedness, unprofessional conduct, and misuse of firearms against some policemen from Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 1, Kano, and a follow-up orderly room trial of the affected policemen by the Force Provost Marshal, three officers from the SPU Base 1 Kano have been dismissed for the offences of discreditable conduct to wit misuse of firearms, abuse of power, gross indiscipline, and wastage of live ammunition.

“The trio, Inspr. Dahiru Shuaibu, Sgt. Abdullahi Badamasi, and Sgt. Isah Danladi were attached to a musician in Kano on escort duties.

“In the course of their duty on Friday 7th April 2023 at Kahutu Village, Katsina State, the officers repeatedly fired shots from their official firearms into the air despite police policy against firing in the air, standard operating procedure and relevant Force Orders; and disregarding the possible risk to the crowd at the location which included children.

“The act was not only criminal and unprofessional but also embarrassing to the Force and the nation at large.”

Adejobi, however, warned all police officers to ensure they carry out their duties in line with the extant laws to avoid running foul of its provisions and attracting attendant sanctions.

The police spokesman also enjoined supervising officers to ensure continuous and detailed lectures of their men to ensure they are well acquainted with all necessary standard operating procedures.

The Star