The acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egberokun, has ordered the compulsory treatment of gunshot victims without a police report.
This directive was contained in a police internal memo signed by the Force Principal Staff Officer, Olatunji Disu, on Wednesday.
The directive, Egbetokun said, was in line with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017.
The memo read, “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.”
Earlier, the Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare, Olatunji Alausa had written a letter to the IG, stressing the need for awareness on reasons to comply with the provision of the 2017 Act.
Alausa, in the letter dated October 3, 2023, noted that taking care of gunshot victims before police reports will mitigate the impact of the needless death of some Nigerians.
The health minister argued that asking for police reports before treating gunshot victims has no legal backing.
His letter read in part, “I am aware that the Nigerian government, in addressing this issue of dying from gunshot wounds by signing into law the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017, came into effect on the eve of 2018.
“The Act mandates all medical facilities to receive and accept victims of a gunshot for immediate treatment without a police report.
“I am constrained to say that compliance is still very low and the cause of the compliance may not be unconnected to poor awareness among field police officers and sympathisers who may fear being implicated for coming to the aid of these victims, particularly for the purpose of litigation.
“Gunshot injury is generally a medical emergency, every minute counts in the fight to preserve the life of the victim. Therefore, a gunshot victim requires urgent medical care to avoid permanent damage or death of the victim.
“Unfortunately, several hospitals still demand police reports before they can admit and treat gunshot victims. They delay and sometimes deny medical attention to victims.
It is important to note that the practice of hospitals demanding for police reports has no legal backing. Police officers also should provide needed support and reassure health facilities or workers that taking care of gunshot injuries will have no legal consequence to the management or patients.
“Dear Inspector of General Police, I believe awareness creation, jointly done by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the police force on the need to comply with the provision of the 2017 Act will greatly mitigate the impact of the needless death of our citizens.
“I will kindly request your recirculation of this important provision of the National Act to all Police divisions nationwide and also for it to be put on paid adverts in all the relevant news media.”
