The acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, has issued a directive to medical personnel nationwide, instructing them to provide treatment to gunshot victims without requiring a Police report.
Egbetokun made this significant announcement while emphasizing the importance of health workers educating the Nigerian population about this policy.
This directive from the IGP is based on the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act of 2017. It was communicated through an internal Police memorandum dated October 25, 2023, and was signed by the Force Principal Staff Officer, Olatunji Disu.
The memorandum was distributed to various high-ranking police officials, including Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police, and Commandants of Police Colleges in Ikeja, Kaduna, Oji-River, Maiduguri, and Enugu.
In the memo, it states, “I am forwarding a copy of the letter HMSH&SW/IG/CTCV/10/2023 dated 3rd October, 2023, received from the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare on the subject mentioned above.
I am writing to convey the Inspector-General of Police’s directive for your unwavering compliance with and enforcement of the provisions of the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017.
The Inspector-General of Police further directs that you incorporate this into your educational efforts and ensure broad circulation to make the public aware of our adherence to national laws.”
