CALABAR, NIGERIA — The Cross River State Police Command has issued a strong warning against the assault and obstruction of police officers performing lawful duties, citing penalties under the law and vowing to prosecute anyone found culpable.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, in Calabar. She said the Command had observed with concern the increasing incidents of citizens assaulting, obstructing, and even attacking police officers while they were carrying out their lawful duties.
“The Cross River State Police Command wishes to warn members of the public against assaulting, obstructing, or attacking police officers on lawful duty. Such acts are criminal offences and will be treated as such. Anyone found culpable will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement read.
SP Ugbo cited Section 356 of the Criminal Code, which provides that anyone who assaults, resists, or obstructs a police officer in the execution of his duty is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for two years. She also cited Section 197 of the Penal Code, which provides for similar penalties for anyone who obstructs a public servant in the discharge of his lawful duties.
The Command said it had received reports of incidents where police officers were attacked by mobs while trying to effect arrests or maintain order. She said such attacks were unacceptable and would not be tolerated.
“The police are your friends. Our duty is to protect lives and property and to maintain law and order. We cannot do this effectively if our officers are attacked or obstructed. We appeal to members of the public to cooperate with the police and to respect their authority,” Ugbo said.
The Command also urged citizens to report any case of misconduct by police officers to the appropriate authorities rather than taking the law into their own hands. She said the Command had established a Complaints Response Unit where members of the public can report cases of police misconduct and that such reports would be investigated promptly.
“We do not condone misconduct by our officers. If you have a complaint against any police officer, please report to the Complaints Response Unit. Do not resort to violence. Violence will only complicate matters and lead to your arrest and prosecution,” she said.
The warning comes amid rising tensions between the police and citizens in some parts of Cross River State, particularly in areas where the police have been conducting operations against criminal elements. In recent weeks, there have been reports of clashes between police officers and youths in some communities, resulting in injuries on both sides.
Civil society organisations have called for better relations between the police and the public, noting that community policing is essential to effective law enforcement. The Executive Director of the Cross River State Civil Liberties Organisation, Mr. Anthony Ogar, said there was a need for mutual respect between the police and citizens.
“The police must respect the rights of citizens, and citizens must also respect the authority of the police. Both sides have responsibilities. We urge the police to always conduct themselves professionally and to respect human rights, while citizens should cooperate with the police in the interest of public safety,” Ogar said.
The Cross River State Government also appealed to residents to maintain peace and to cooperate with security agencies. The Commissioner for Internal Security, Mr. Godwin Nyiam, said the government would continue to support the police in their efforts to maintain law and order.
“We urge all residents to remain law-abiding and to cooperate with the police and other security agencies. Together, we can build a safer and more peaceful Cross River State,” Nyiam said.
As the police intensify their operations against criminal elements, the message from the Command is clear: attacks on officers on lawful duty will not be tolerated, and offenders will face the full weight of the law. For now, the Command has called for calm and cooperation from the public.
