Cross River Police: Act Section 98 Warning Issued Against Assaulting Officers

• The Cross River State Police Command has warned against assaulting or obstructing officers, citing increasing incidents.
• ASP Eitokpah Sunday, the command's PRO, stated that such acts undermine both individual officers and state authority.
• Section 98 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 mandates a N500,000 fine, six months imprisonment, or both for assaulting, obstructing, or resisting a police officer.
• The command clarified that respect for police does not grant officers immunity from accountability, advising citizens to report misconduct through channels like the National Human Rights Commission.
• Both citizens and officers are urged to uphold the law, with violence never justified, and officers expected to act professionally.

Under the Nigeria Police Act 2020 Section 98, an individual found guilty of assaulting a police officer in Nigeria faces a fine of N500,000, imprisonment for a period of six months, or both.

The Cross River State Police Command has issued a strong warning to the public regarding increasing instances of assault, obstruction, and violent resistance directed at law enforcement officers performing their official duties. Speaking from Calabar on Thursday, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, emphasized the critical role police officers play in maintaining public order and safety.

ASP Eitokpah Sunday highlighted that police personnel routinely risk their lives to respond to emergencies, prevent criminal activities, protect citizens' lives and property, and uphold the law. He expressed significant concern that these attacks not only endanger individual officers but also undermine the fundamental authority of the state. The command's message underscores a call for all Nigerians to show due respect for law enforcement officials and to refrain from any actions that impede their lawful operations.

The Cross River Police Command's warning is underpinned by specific legal provisions, particularly Section 98 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020. This crucial section stipulates that any individual who assaults, obstructs, or resists a police officer while they are carrying out their duties commits a serious offense. The penalties for such actions are substantial, reflecting the gravity with which the law views interference with police work.

Under the Nigeria Police Act 2020 Section 98, an individual found guilty of assaulting a police officer in Nigeria faces a fine of N500,000, imprisonment for a period of six months, or both. This provision serves as a clear deterrent against actions that could compromise the safety of officers or hinder their ability to enforce the law and maintain peace across the nation, including in Cross River State.

While emphasizing the severe penalties for assaulting police officers, the Cross River State Police Command also stressed that respect for law enforcement does not equate to immunity from accountability for officers. ASP Eitokpah Sunday clarified that if a police officer is alleged to have acted unlawfully, abused their powers, or violated a citizen's rights, the appropriate course of action is to report the matter and seek lawful redress through established channels. The National Human Rights Commission was specifically cited as an appropriate avenue for such complaints.

The command's spokesman underscored the principle that no citizen, just as no police officer, is above the law. He called for a balanced approach where citizens understand that disagreements with an officer do not justify violence, and officers are expected to act professionally and uphold human dignity. The police urged citizens to report misconduct, seek legal redress for unlawful arrests, and pursue genuine complaints through proper channels, rather than resorting to violence. This dual emphasis aims to foster a society governed by law, where both police and citizens adhere to established legal frameworks.

The Cross River Police Act Section 98 warning carries significant implications for public safety and the rule of law in Nigeria. The increasing incidents of assault and obstruction against officers, as noted by ASP Eitokpah Sunday, pose a direct threat to the effective functioning of law enforcement and the stability of communities. The police uniform, while a symbol of public authority, represents individuals dedicated to public service, and their protection is integral to a functioning society.

Ultimately, the protection of police officers and the protection of citizens are not opposing causes; rather, they are integral components of the same overarching objective: to establish and maintain a society governed by law rather than by force. The command's advice to officers to view every interaction as an opportunity to build public confidence further reinforces the idea that mutual respect and adherence to legal processes are essential for a just and orderly society.

Lawyers should advise clients on the severe penalties under Section 98 of the Police Act 2020 for assaulting or obstructing police officers in Nigeria, particularly in Cross River State, and guide them on proper channels for reporting police misconduct rather than resorting to violence.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH