The Due Process Advocates Foundation (DPA) commends the police.

The DPA organization in Nigeria reacted positively to the arrest of some armed robbery suspects in Mpape Abuja on 27th December 2019. About 5 armed men attacked a First Bank branch office in a bid to rob. But a combined team of security forces responded to the scene and foiled the attack while arresting 4 of the men and killing one. This was according to media report.

Reacting to this incident, DPA issued the following statement on its social media handle.

DPA RESPONDS TO THE ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS IN MPAPE ABUJA

We commend the police for foiling the attempted robbery in Mpape, Abuja, on December 27, 2019, and for the arrest of the suspects. We appreciate the courage and bravery it takes for the police to confront and successfully subdue an armed suspect. Every officer involved in arresting the suspects deserves commendation and even a raise.

As the police have acted to enforce the law, we urge them to continue to act within the law. The police must now conduct full and professionally sound investigation and charge the suspects to court where we expect they will be convicted and sentenced accordingly.

It is only the Court of law that can determine who is guilty and what punishment to allocate to that person. And where the punishment is death, only the Court can pronounce such punishment. If the mob does it, it is called jungle justice. If the police does it, it is called atrocity or extra-judicial killing. DPA opposes jungle justice, atrocities and extra-judicial killings. We encourage every citizen of this country to support the police. We also urge the police to follow the law and due process in investigating this case. So, no torture, and no forced confession. If the police remain professional in their handling of this case, they will get the evidence they need to convict the suspects without engaging in any improper conduct as officers. And it is by following due process that the truth will be vindicated.

Again, commendations to the officers.

NOTE: The Due Process Advocates Foundation (DPA) was Founded by Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye, Esquire