Treat all victims of gunshots and accidents with or without police report – IGP

The Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has issued a strong call to all medical professionals in Nigeria to provide prompt and compassionate treatment to all victims of gunshots and accidents, regardless of the presence or absence of a police report, in response to the ongoing concern over the tragic loss of lives caused by the neglect of these victims.

The Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act of 2017 requires all healthcare providers to prioritise the immediate care and stabilisation of such patients, recognising the critical importance of prompt medical attention in saving lives. The IGP’s directive is in line with this legislation.

The IGP’s decision was made in reaction to the community’s and concerned citizens’ persistent outcry about the tragic results of delaying treatment for these victims.

In order to close the gap between law enforcement and healthcare providers, promote a more effective and compassionate response to emergency situations, and reduce crime by honouring their duty to invite the police for assessment while treatment is ongoing, the IGP emphasises the moral duty and responsibility of medical professionals to uphold the sanctity of life and provide life-saving care to those in need.

The Inspector-General stresses the critical importance of saving lives and advancing a safer and healthier society, calling on all medical facilities and professionals to follow these guidelines and to fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies when needed. In order to fully enforce the Act’s provisions, the Nigeria Police will work with all pertinent Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, especially the Federal Ministry of Health.

*ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, FCAI,* *FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,* *FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA* 28TH OCTOBER 2023