The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced that refusing to assist officers in distress will result in a fine of N100,000 or a prison sentence. This announcement was made by force spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a controversial tweet on Sunday.
Adejobi referenced Section 99 of the Police Act 2020, explaining that anyone who declines to help a police officer in distress commits an offense. He further cited Section 98 of the same Act: “A person who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer in discharge of his duty, or incites any other person to assault or obstruct a police or other person assisting the officer in the discharge of his duty commits an offence. And is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or six months imprisonment or both.”
He continued, referring to Section 99: “When a person is called upon to aid a police officer who is, while in the discharge of his duty, assaulted or in danger of being assaulted or resisted, and the person refuses to assist, the person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a N100,000 fine or imprisonment for a term of 3 months or both.”
This statement came after a viral video showing a confrontation between a police officer and a woman.
