By Akinwale Kasali
The Acting Inspector General of Police, Dr Olukayode Egbetokun has ordered all Hospitals and all medical personnel across the country to treat gunshot victims without asking for Police report.
IGP Egbetokun issued the directive while urging health workers to sensitize Nigerians about the issue.
The IGP’s directive, based on the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, was contained in a Police internal memo dated October 25, 2023, and signed by the Force Principal Staff Officer, Olatunji Disu.
The memo was addressed to all Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and the Commandants of Police Colleges in Ikeja, Kaduna, Oji-River, Maiduguri and Enugu.
The memo reads, “I forward herewith a copy of letter HMSH&SW/IG/CTCV/ 10/2023 dated 3rd October, 2023, received from Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare on the above-underlined subject, and write to convey the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you comply with and enforce the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017 without any hesitation.
“The Inspector-General of Police further directs that you make this a subject of lecture and circulate widely for the members of the public to be aware of our compliance with the National Law.”
Before now, Nigerians have died as a result of gunshot wounds due to the failure of Hospitals and Medical Personnel around the country not to accept the victims due to the failure of the victims and their families to provide Police Reports.
Before the directive of the IGP Egbetokun, there have been clamour from activists, social commentators and cross section of Nigerians calling on Hospitals to save lives first before asking for Police reports.
However, this is not the first time this order will be issued by Police authorities. But it has always been ignored by most Hospitals.
