Policemen in Nigeria may soon be armed with stun guns instead of firearms, according to Inspector General of Police Mr. Solomon Arase. He said with the use of stun guns, cases of accidental discharge and deaths would be reduced. Arase added that persons who resist arrest and behave violently can be shot at without grievous bodily harm being caused. He said, “Right now, what we are trying to do is to discourage issuing firearms to police officers who go on metro patrol. That is why we are thinking of introducing stun guns this year. Stun guns can incapacitate you, demobilise you but they will not kill you. So, in case there is a mistake, then we will be able to ensure that the injury is not such that will result in death.”
Arase also said, “It is also true that from statistics we have internal mechanisms for dealing with people who engage in misuse of firearms and I must tell you that many of them have been dismissed.” We believe this is a good move because stun guns deliver the ultimate in non-lethal riot control. A stun gun works by attacking the nervous system, delivering high-voltage electricity to the rioter’s body. Unlike lasers, stun guns must make direct contact with the rioter to work but they’re less regulated and typically smaller and easier to conceal.
A stun gun is capable of generating 200,000 volts or more, which is enough to floor a victim and leave him disabled for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The gun works through being pressed against the rioter’s body before releasing an electronic charge that is high in voltage and low in amps, meaning that it is effective at disabling the rioter while reducing the chance of causing damage. When a rioter comes in contact with the charge, he will go through a few seconds of excruciating pain, his muscles will spasm and his blood sugar level will become depleted.
Stun gun totally incapacitates one or more rioters for 10 to 15 minutes. The effects are immediate and severe and create a burning sensation in the eyes with copious tears, coughing, and difficulty in breathing. The eyes close involuntarily, the nose run, and moist skin stings. One shot causes instant panic and agony and stun guns are fast, simple and easy to use. No marksmanship is necessary and it is safe to use because safety collar protects against accidental misfires.
While commending this good initiative we must state that although there are many advantages of using a stun gun as a security instrument, there are also a few disadvantages that have to be considered. First, the subject will have to get close enough to the policeman in order to be touched them with the weapon. In the instance where the rioter has a lethal weapon the cop may not get close enough to use a stun gun and may have to resort to firearms. The same applies when the rioter is discreet enough to approach from the back or side.
If the police ultimately move in this direction, its officers and men will need to be trained to handle stun guns as well in related matters such as human relations, community interaction, interrogation etc. in addition to stun guns the Nigeria Police should carry out the task of quelling protests and riots with rubber bullets, water cannons, police dogs and tear gas and should use firearms only against insurgents and violent criminals such as armed robbers and kidnappers.
Mr. Arase should also consider replacing the AK 47 rifles currently used by Mobile and other policemen. These weapons are heavy and obsolete and need to be replaced by more modern weapons that are lighter and more effective. The Nigeria Police has hardly changed its hardware and methods to reflect the change from military dictatorship to democratic rule. It is time to make those changes now.
