The Acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered that gunshot victims be treated without hospitals demanding Police report.
The directive was contained in a Police internal memo dated October 25 and signed by the Force Principal Staff Officer, Olatunji Disu.
According to the memo addressed to all Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and the Commandants of Police Colleges in all state capitals, the directive was in line with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017.
The Act mandates all health facilities to accept victims of gunshot for immediate treatment without asking for Police report.
The directive states in part,
RE: COMPULSORY TREATMENT AND CARE FOR VICTIMS OF GUNSHOT ACT 2017
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.
Egbetokun referenced a letter from the Hon. Minister of State, Olatunji Alausa, Federal Ministry of Health and Social welfare dated 3rd Oct, 2023, seeking the collaboration of the Police in creating awareness on the 2017 Act in order to “end needless deaths caused by gunshot injuries.”
In the letter, Alausa expressed concerns about the low level of compliance, which he said was due to a lack of awareness among field Police officers and sympathisers who may be afraid of being implicated for assisting the victims.
“Gunshot injury is generally a medical emergency and 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,” he said.
He said while many hospitals still demand Police reports before treating gunshot victims, the practice has no legal backing.
Alausa urged the Police to provide needed support to reassure health facilities or workers to ensure care for gunshot injuries, assuring they will face no legal consequences.
See a copy of the directive:
