Enugu, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigerians have attacked Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) over his reaction to the death of a Nigerian Lawyer shot by a Police Officer.
A Twitter user @KcUzoka, on 25 December, 2022, dragged the Nigeria Police to social media, lamenting the murder of his colleague by a Police Officer on Christmas Day.
He wrote: “Good evening @BenHundeyin, one of your officers attached to Ajiwe police Division Ajah, shot at point blank & murdered a lawyer colleague of mine today.
“This is one too many of similar incidents with @PoliceNG officer in Ajiwe.
“Now a family have lost a dear one on Christmas day.”
Responding, Hundeyin described the incident as “unfortunate and avoidable”
“Unfortunate and avoidable incident that was. The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody. They are to be moved to the SCID for further investigation,” he wrote on Twitter.
Nigerians who wouldn’t have any of his reaction, condemned the response immediately, with many of them expressing their disgust at his response.
According to @AsidoEffa, “I am afraid “UNFORTUNATE” and “AVOIDABLE” aren’t the adjectives we would like to hear from you. Was the use of force “LAWFUL”, “REASONABLE”and “JUSTIFIABLE”? I trust you don’t think you are describing an RTA (Road Traffic Accident)??”
Attacking the PPRO also, popular human rights activist, @SarryRinu said: “Ah toor. I’m glad someone else said it, because what in the heavens is “avoidable, unfortunate”? “Avoidable, unfortunate, incident”. “Well done, representative of the murderous organization.”
@Kossisoroyce, while reacting to the incident and the response of the Police Spokesperson, wrote: “This guy has no idea how to do his job. For a public relations officer, he is very uncouth, insensitive and comes of as obnoxious sometimes. There is no culture of help or mediation and empathy. Does this person understand what it means to do public relations?”
@KayodeFasasi3 also weighed in stating: “He is most likely to be an ASP that rose through the rank.
“Sergeants, Inspectors and ASPs that rose through the ranks are the main problems of the NPF. The category account for a large %age of bad eggs in the Police. Good men & officer in d category. Inspectors are the worst.”
In his response, @Deleolusegun2 stated: “If truly he rise through d rank of Sgt-AsP,he’s expected 2be above board &role model of sort 2others.I meant he must have gather experience on when he’s justify 2 make use of fire arm. It is about self discipline, passion & observing rules of engagement.He shld answer 4his action.”
“What will trigger this type of unethical shooting If I may inquire, why is it that you hardly hear accidental discharge of bullets by police officers in develop nations
“The authorities concerned within the Force should please look into incessant reoccurrence of this sad stories,” @LutherIbe noted on Twitter.
An obviously displeased @papzci also spared a thought on the incident: “Until they stop giving all the police big guns then it will always happen.
“There should be a squad that have big guns and they should never be on the road unless there is a case of emergency. But I’m sure they won’t do that cause d power d government have over us is the police.”