Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, has urged Nigerians to control their anger to prevent tragic incidents such as murder.
He emphasized that assertions of self-defense in murder cases are solely within the jurisdiction of the court.
Edafe conveyed this message via his social media handle on Friday, highlighting that the police command had arrested two murder suspects involved in incidents purportedly linked to self-defense.
Despite the suspects’ claims, they are being prosecuted for the offense.
He stated, “Among the suspects presented, two are linked to suspected murder cases. The first incident occurred in Ozoro, where a girlfriend, purportedly under the influence of drugs, engaged in a physical altercation with her boyfriend.
During the altercation, she used a knife to injure him on his hands, prompting the boyfriend to retaliate by stabbing her in the shoulder.
Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries, and the boyfriend now faces a murder charge. Whether this was an act of self-defense is a matter for the court to determine.
“In another incident in Asaba, a visitor informed a family friend’s wife that her husband had been making advances towards her.
Angered by this revelation, the husband confronted the wife, who subsequently asked the visitor to leave their residence.”
“Instead, she proceeded to the kitchen, with the man trailing behind. As events unfolded, the man ended up stabbing the woman, resulting in her demise as well.
“The man is facing charges of murder. Let me reiterate, whether it was self-defense or not is a matter for the court to determine.
“Nevertheless, he cautioned the public about managing their temper, emphasizing that the issue of self-defense is solely within the jurisdiction of the court.”
“I’m sharing this story as a cautionary tale, urging everyone to exercise restraint and control their temper to prevent such tragic situations. A word to the wise is sufficient,” he cautioned.
It’s worth noting that Frank Geng Quangrong, a Chinese national accused of culpable homicide in the death of his girlfriend, Ummulkhulsum Sani Buhari, has claimed it was a deliberate act.
Quangrong asserted that he stabbed his girlfriend in self-defense after she allegedly forcefully grabbed his testicles in September 2022.
Numerous stakeholders across the nation have been advocating for the right to self-defense.
One notable advocate is Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, who introduced a bill in January proposing civilian ownership and carrying of firearms for self-defense amidst escalating insecurity in the country.
“An amendment bill allowing civilian firearm ownership must be introduced in the Senate. My bill on self-defense and firearms ownership regulation, currently listed in the Senate awaiting its first reading, addresses this urgent issue,” Nwoko stated.
However, Nwoko’s stance is not solitary. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, also expressed support in 2022 for Nigerians to have the right to bear arms and defend themselves against terrorists.
Similarly, Samuel Ortom, former Governor of Benue State in 2020, urged the Federal Government to authorize law-abiding citizens to carry firearms for self-defense.
