The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has clarified that pointing a stun gun at another person with the intent to threaten or create fear is considered an offence under Nigerian law.
Jimoh made the statement during a live appearance on Channels Television on Thursday, while providing updates on the ongoing investigation involving Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, who was recently questioned over the possession of a gun-like object seen in a viral video.
“Nothing is an offence under the law, except what the law states to be an offence. Even under the Firearms Act, if you fashion out anything that is not metal, like wood, and you make it look like a gun, and you use that guise to take possession of property from another person, you have committed armed robbery,” Jimoh stated.
He further explained that the act of pointing a stun gun at an individual, even if not a lethal weapon, constitutes a criminal offence because it induces fear and can be used as a threat.
The Commissioner confirmed that the object recovered from Pastor Adefarasin was a stun gun, not a traditional firearm, but emphasized that it falls under prohibited riot equipment as classified by law.
“He was invited; a letter of invitation was sent to him. We had prepared a warrant of arrest in case he refused, but he voluntarily turned himself in and cooperated with investigators,” Jimoh said.
The police have not made any formal charges, as the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are examining the context of the incident and seeking to determine why the stun gun was displayed in the video and whether it violated any public safety regulations.
Pastor Adefarasin was reportedly granted bail after honoring the police invitation.
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