By Miriam Humbe, Abuja
The Police Service Commission on Sunday, condemned in strong terms, the assault of a Police Officer in uniform and on official duty in Lagos by one Seun Kuti.
In a statement signed by the Commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission commended the Inspector General of Police, Baba Usman Ahmed for his prompt action in ordering the arrest and prosecution of Seun.
The PSC said that Kuti had obviously diminished the sanctity of the symbol of authority of the Nigerian nation.
The Commission demanded that the culprit must be arraigned immediately and that the Inspector General must ensure that the matter was followed to it’s logical conclusion to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase said that the Police was the lead Agency in internal security and in it’s ability to maintain law and order and also protect lives and properties.
The former Inspector General of Police said no matter the offence the Police Officer committed, nobody, including Seun Kuti had the right to assault a Policeman in uniform and on official duty.
Dr. Arase frowned at the affontry of Seun to slap the Police Officer, insisting that Nigeria was not a Hobbesian state “where might is right”.
Dr. Arase said: “We must as a civilized people explore established channels of complaints against alleged infractions by law enforcement Officials rather than this uncouth behaviour in assaulting the symbol of authority in our country.
“We look forward to the prompt prosecution of Seun to act as a deterrent to others of his ilk”.
He further commended the Police Officer for refusing to be provoked by the action of his aggressor, a development he said, would have been more fatal.
The PSC Chairman said it was unfortunate that at a time the Management of the Nigeria Police were dealing decisively with Officers who harassed, intimidated or assaulted civilians on our roads and work places, the same Police Officers had become victims of the actions of some uncultured elites.
He said the Police should use the present incident to set an example that this would never be tolerated in Nigeria, a country governed by laws, rules and regulations.
The Chairman said that the groundswell of public opinion against the conduct of the abuser was indicative of the love and respect Nigerians had for the law enforcement Officers.
He said this underscored the need for all Police Officers to continually respect the right of the populace and be professional in all their conduct.
