Inspector-General of Police Justifies Killing of Shiite Members in Kano... See Details

Posted by Thandiubani on Tue 15th Nov, 2016 - tori.ng

Nigerian Police boss, Idris Ibrahim said his men were right to have killed Shi'ite members yesterday during a procession.

Some of the Shiite members reportedly killed by the police on Monday

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim, on Tuesday justified the killing of some Shiites members by policemen in Kano on Monday during the clash between the members of the sect and the police, according to Punch.

In the clash, police killed about 15 Shiite members while a policeman lost his life. While speaking with State House correspondents shortly after attending the launch of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem and Appeal Fund at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Ibrahim said his men were confronted by protesters who were armed to the teeth.

“I agree with what you said (that Nigerians should not be killed while quelling riot) but when you have Nigerians armed to the teeth, killing police officers, I don’t think it happens anywhere.

“I think as Nigerians, we have to appreciate a dangerous situation, and be sympathetic with the police that are being killed by some of these miscreants,” he said.

He added: “Obviously from time to time, we have been experiencing upheavals from this set of people.

“As police officers, we have responsibility to ensure there is law and order and when you have people taking over the whole country, dominating streets and buildings, we have to come in to maintain sanity in those areas.

“As of early yesterday (Monday), we got information that they were trying to block Kano to Zaria road. They later assembled in large number and our officers were deployed in the place to ensure freedom of movement of ordinary Nigerians.

“They attacked our officers, killed one of our officers. One has sustained an arrow wound on his head and obviously in such a situation, police have the responsibility to ensure free movement of people on the road. And that was what our officers did.”