November 26, (THEWILL) – The Police Service Commission (PSC) has explained reasons operatives of the Nigeria police carry arms during protests.
The explanation came amidst a high powered delegation of the German government, who had offered to train officers of the Nigeria Police Force in protest management without the use of lethal weapons.
But Chairman of the PSC, former Inspector-General of Police, Musiliu Smith, was reportedly quoted to have said that German and Nigerian societies are different.
Defending Smith’s position, Spokesperson of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, in a chat with newsmen on Friday, said the situation in Nigerian can turn violent.
He added that some people could carry guns while protesting, which could hamper the safety of the police and other people.
He said, “When there are demonstrations abroad, the people just demonstrate. But here, people demonstrate carrying guns.
“So if policemen are going to handle demonstrators in Nigeria, they won’t just come with batons, because they could be killed.
“But abroad they don’t carry anything, they just come out and demonstrate to show the world that they are not happy with what they are doing. It is not like that here in Nigeria.
“Police officers that are going to quell demonstrations in Nigeria must be prepared. At least, they should be able to secure themselves.”
Ani explained that the high-level delegation was seeking ideas on how to help improve Nigeria’s policing methods adding that nothing was finalised at the moment.
“It is a high mission seeking ideas on how to help Nigeria with its policing. The two parties would work it out at the appropriate time”, he added.
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