Group warns soldiers may normalize shooting of police officers in latest killing of DPO

The Rule of Law, Accountability and Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has condemned the recent killing of a police DPO, Haliru Liman by soldiers at a checkpoint in Zamfara.

 

The latest killing comes four years after soldiers killed three police officers at a checkpoint in Taraba State and freed a suspected notorious kidnapper, Hamisu Wadume. Wadume was later rearrested and convicted. He has since regained freedom after spending barely four years in jail.

 

The recent killing of DPO Liman occurred in Zamfara State, at a checkpoint mounted by soldiers.

 

Spokesman of Sokoto police command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, said the soldiers killed the DPO despite identifying himself as a police officer.

 

RULAAC in a statement on Sunday signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, warned about the dangers of allowing the killing of police officers to go unpunished.

 

 

 

The statement reads: “This recent tragic incident brings back sad memories of similar unresolved cases in the past of the killing of police officers by military personnel.

 

 

“We recall the attack and murder of three police officers from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) by military personnel at a checkpoint in August 2019 while returning from the arrest of suspected kidnap kingpin Hamisu Wadume.

 

“This recurrent incident highlights serious issues within Nigeria’s security forces, including interagency friction, accountability issues, civil-military relations, impact on law enforcement, and the urgency of reform.

 

“The incident underscores a troubling lack of coordination and cooperation between military and police forces, which can lead to deadly misunderstandings.

 

“The absence of accountability for military personnel involved in the earlier killings appears to foster a culture of impunity, enabling further violence, as evidenced by the subsequent murder of Superintendent of Police Haliru Liman by military officers in Zamfara.

 

“The events indicate a breakdown in civil-military relations, creating a scenario where military personnel may feel empowered to act without oversight, potentially endangering civilians and law enforcement officers alike.

 

“Such gratuitous and usually unpunished violence can demoralize law enforcement personnel, hinder police effectiveness, and undermine public trust in security agencies.

 

“These incidents highlight the urgent need for reforms that enhance accountability, improve inter-agency communication, and establish clear operational protocols between military and police forces.

 

“Addressing these issues is essential for restoring trust in Nigeria’s security framework and preventing further escalations of violence.

 

“RULAAC calls for urgent investigation and accountability. This is essential to uphold justice, maintain public confidence, and ensure the integrity of the security apparatus.”