President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, has reiterated the call for gun-carrying policemen to be subjected to psychiatric test “to save Nigerians from their unusual brutality”.
She made the call in Badagry, Lagos, on Monday when she received an award for the Female Activist of the Year from the Society for Human Advancement and Creativity Organisation, SHACO, an NGO.
According to her, the police are supposed to be live savers, but the recent killing of innocent people is very sad and disturbing.
“The brutality that is being perpetrated by those, who bear firearms has resulted to one death too many and I think that was what I said two years ago when we engaged the Federal Special Anti-Crime Squad on their training on Human Rights.
“I said that those, who bear arms must be subjected to psychiatric test.
“There is also the need, from time to time, for a test to be conducted (on them) in terms of alcohol (intake).
“The way police officers, who carry arms drink alcohol and several other things has resulted into the killing of innocent citizens.
“I also want to say that anyone who carries out this dastardly act must be brought to book.
“Apart from dismissal, the (guilty officer) should be tried in a law court of the land,” she said.
She commended the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu and the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Mu’azu for the efforts they are making at policing with integrity.
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“They should let those who bear arms know that no-one is above the law.
“For those who are victims of police brutality, we stand with them and pray to God to uphold the family.
“But for those who are dead, I cannot bid them farewell until justice is served, that justice must be served until we bid them farewell,” she stated.
Okei-Odumakin said that Women Arise for Change Initiative had handled more than 4,000 cases of injustice in the country, adding that they had gotten justice in some.
Mr. Mark Akande, the Founder, SHACO, said that the award was conferred on Okei-Odumakin because of her role in the Walk for Light protest in 2018.
Akande said that power supply to the coastal city had improved considerably since her involvement in the protest.
According to him, 35 others who received the awards were considered because of their selfless service to humanity.
Okei-Odumakin had paid a courtesy visit to the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi 1, who presented the award to her.
NAN
