The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu on Monday urged doctors to treat victims of gunshot wounds first before asking for any Police report.
Responding to a question on the matter while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Newsnight programme, the IGP said, “No, we don’t do that, save life first even if it’s an individual, suspected robber or kidnapper, or bandits.
“If he or she has gunshot wounds and goes to the hospital, his life must be saved first before thinking of any other thing to do.
“There is no issue of asking for a police report before you treat anybody with gunshot wounds”, he added.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have in recent times warned hospitals and doctors to desist from rejecting gunshot victims, saying such an act constitutes a flagrant violation of existing law.
According to the NPF, doctors who reject these victims are criminally liable on account of the provision of the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017.
The Senate in 2017, passed a bill seeking to establish a law that ensures that victims of gunshot wounds receive the necessary treatment.
The Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Bill, when signed into law will prevent medical workers from denying care to gunshot victims.
The Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Bill also ensures that every person, including security agents, should render every possible assistance to any person with gunshot wounds and ensure that the person is taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.
With additional report from Channels Television
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