The Nigeria Police Force has cautioned citizens against refusing to assist officers who are in danger of being assaulted.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that the any individual who fails or refuses to assist an officer who is being assault would be fined N100,000 or sentenced to three-month jail term.
This, he said is according to the provisions of Section 99, Police Act 2020.
Also, quoting Section 197 of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria, Adejobi said anyone who resists any officer while discharging his duties is liable to two years imprisonment.
Continuing in a post on X, Adejobi stated that Section 42 of the Police Act 2020 binds Nigerians to assist judges, magistrates, the police or anyone
reasonably demanding his aid in arresting or preventing the escape of a suspect whom the the judge, magistrate, police officer or other person is authorized to arrest.
In addition, he said that Section 98 Police Act 2020 states that, “A person who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer in the discharge of his duty, or aids or incites any other person to assault, obstruct or resist a police officer or other person aiding or assisting the police officer in the discharge of his duty commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months or both.”
