The National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) has condemned in strong words the recent attacks on men and officers of the various security agencies in Nigeria. The organization also went further to plead with Nigerians to desist from such inhuman activities as it is counterproductive to the war on insecurity that the country is fighting.

Speaking on behalf of the Security News Publishers, the President Oki Samson noted that this period is unprecedented in the history of the country with incessant insecurity issues all around the country. ‘No part of the country seems to be enjoying peace. We cannot continue like this. To now, see that some youths will be bold enough to attack police officers and men of the police and other security agencies is nothing but insensitivity to the challenges of the time.’

Mr. Oki continued: ‘In recent times, the Nigerian security agencies, especially the Police, have come under severe attacks from the public, even as they were seen to be performing their lawful duties. Most of these attacks have proved fatal, leading to loss of the operatives lives, and subsequent distress for their families, which include very young wives and husbands, immature children, and in some cases aged parents. These people are left to mourn unendingly.’

The news association used recent examples to reiterate their position. ‘You will recall that during the By-election in Ekiti State less than two months ago, a young policewoman was mercilessly shot in the head while she was lawfully supervising the election. She fought for her life for about 24 hours before giving up the ghost, leaving behind husband, children and parents.’

‘Not long ago, the celebrated case of Sunday Erhabor, featured in the media space. In a video that went viral, the officer was seen being molested by motorist, who was stopped for driving against the traffic. Much as Erhabor was armed with a full loaded AK-47, he resisted the temptation to use the weapon. He was praised by the public, rewarded by some and honoured by the Lagos State government. Following closely the attack on Erhabor, a traffic officer was also before social camera heavily attacked by a hit and run driver he confronted. The driver glaringly broke a bottle on the head of the officer, who was performing a legitimate duty. This is not right in any form, and is utterly condemnable.’

‘We have heard of members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attacked and killed, doing their civil duties, personnels of LASTMA, not to talk of the members of the Military, who suffer insurgency attacks on a daily basis.’

The association therefore released a charge to all Nigerian citizens, ‘We at the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), frown seriously at the development, and call for immediate stop of the act because it is selective, inciting, wicked, inhumane and negates the constitutional rights to life and existence.’

‘We enjoin the public to continue to see the security agencies and their agents as friends and co-stakeholders in the business of making Nigeria. We must desist from molesting, attacking and killing them. They also have families like the rest of us. We must note that the presence of any security operative is enough distraction for a would-be offender. The security personnel, whether working or not dissuade perpetration of any for of crime or evil. As a result, we can imagine how porous the society would become if they are killed, or made to stay off our roads. The chaos would be unimaginable.’

‘Let’s put a stop to the molestation and killing of policemen and other security personnel because we need them, sometime, more than they need us. The Security outfits, also especially the police should not rest until they have arrested anyone found to have molested or killed an officer so that others would learn. This is to serve as detriment to anyone, who may have the intention of molesting an authorized uniform personnel.’

‘It was a thing of joy sometime ago when the Lagos State Command under the leadership of CP Hakeem Odumosu paraded some people it said attacked police officers at the Computer Village. If found to have committed the offence should be made to face the music. But no innocent person should be punished. The police remain our friends!’