Mariam Adebukola 
The Nigeria Police Force has terminated the employment of a police officer who fatally shot Alafuro Peterside in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Peterside, aged 42, lost his life last month when a police officer shot him in the presence of his wife and children at a bar in Elekohia, within Port Harcourt City.
Speaking on the development, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka, disclosed this during a presentation of criminal suspects at the command’s headquarters on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The CP said, “In recent times, we have witnessed some bloggers, some Tiktokers, some Tweeters, that have been sending some malicious messages against the command.
“Some are unsubstantiated, but I want to assure you that the ones that are substantiated, we will get to the root of the matter.
“And to prove to you, as I’ve always said, that crime and criminality know no bounds. Whether you are a civilian or you are a policeman, if you commit a crime, you will be punished.
“To that effect, I’ve also assured you that we as police officers will always stand for things that are right. It doesn’t matter who comes to make a report, we will give you justice to the best of our ability.
“Investigation is ongoing into the allegation against them. We are not ready to cover anybody because the Inspector General of Police never sent anybody, the Commissioner of Police never sent anybody, and the AIG never sent anybody.
“So, if you get your heart burnt by doing what is not expected of you as a police officer, be assured that you will face the wrath of the law.
“You can’t be very sanctimonious to show that you can hold other people responsible as a law enforcer, and you can’t show it with your own self.
“We must live beyond the normal standard of discipline before we can enforce discipline on others.”
He noted that the policemen had been in detention since the moment they were arrested. He added that the investigation is ongoing, and when that is concluded, the necessary disciplinary action will be taken against them.
The CP advised victims of police brutality and extortion to report to his office, rather than go online, which paints the Nigeria Police in a bad light, for the actions of “few bad eggs”.
