(Civilians confront task force officer. Photo by Punch news)
In response to a widely shared video depicting an altercation between citizens and members of the joint security task force, Operation Delta Sweep, the Delta State Government has issued a strong caution to the public against assaulting law enforcement agents.
Citing a recent extrajudicial killing in the state as the reason for their rage, some civilians accused security agents of tyranny and thievery in the scuffle that went viral on social media on Monday.
The individual filming the confrontation was heard yelling at a police, "Give him his phone!" in the video posted on X by a user going by the handle ChuksEricE. This is a theft. It's oppression. A few days ago, you murdered an innocent person in this manner. These people oppress others.
While the cop fought to free himself, another individual was observed grabbing him by the shirt and hauling him.
There was a protracted fight as the civilian resisted attempts by other uniformed troops to step in.
In response to the incident on Tuesday, David Tonwe, Director General of Security Matters and Coordinator of Operation Sweep, issued a formal public notice in which he clarified that the officer engaged in the struggle was an official member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, not a police officer as first reported.
He emphasized that frustrations do not excuse physical attacks on state officers, even as he acknowledged the public's sorrow over Oghenemine Ogidi's murder in Effurun.
The statement said, "The Office of the Director General Security Matters is not unaware of the current tension... following the unfortunate incident involving the death of Mr. Oghenemine Ogidi."
But a troubling tendency needs to be addressed. No civilian is allowed to enforce the law on their own, insult, or abuse law enforcement officials while they are performing their official duty.
According to Tonwe, the officer was "accosted" and "unruly questioned" for the legitimate stop prior to the physical assault while on a routine patrol.
A zero-tolerance policy for such behavior was underlined in the statement, which also warned that assault, obstruction, and disrespect for law enforcement officials are crimes that will be punished with the "full weight of the law."
Additionally, it cautioned that since "two wrongs do not make a right," self-help and mob action are severely forbidden.
It advised people to file complaints about wrongdoing or violence through official channels, like the Office of the Director General of Security Matters or the Police Complaints Response Unit.
Stressing that attacking officers "endangers the entire community," the appeal for peace calls on locals to let the authorities handle the Ogidi inquiry.
According to PUNCH, Ogidi, a 28-year-old singer, was shot and killed in broad daylight by ASP Nuhu Usman, a police officer and former member of the infamous Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Usman's detention has been confirmed by the police, and the case has been formally moved to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for prosecution after the policemen involved in the shooting were fired.
Watch the video below: