The Nigerian Police Force has issued a warning that refusing to assist officers under attack can lead to serious consequences.
The warning from Muyiwa Adejobi follows the circulation of a viral video depicting a confrontation between a female citizen and a police officer, highlighting concerns about public support for law enforcement during altercations.
According to Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, failing to aid a distressed police officer is considered an offense, punishable by a fine of N100,000 and up to three months in prison.
This stern warning was shared via a tweet on Sunday, emphasizing the importance of supporting law enforcement personnel in times of need.
The tweet read, “Section 98 Police Act 2020: A person who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer in the discharge of his duty, or aids or incites any other person to assault, obstruct or resist a police officer or other person aiding or assisting the police officer in the discharge of his duty commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months or both.”
Section 99, Police Act 2020: When a person is called upon to aid and assist a police officer who is, while in the discharge of his duty, assaulted or resisted or in danger of being assaulted or resisted, and the person refuses or neglects to aid and assist, the person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for a term of three months or both.
“Section 42 of the Police Act 2020: A person is bound to assist a judge, magistrate or police officer or other person reasonably demanding his aid in arresting or preventing the escape of a suspect whom the judge, magistrate, police officer or other person is authorized to arrest.”
