Following the widespread use of pepper spray by Nigerian women on potential rapist, a move which was made popular by Nollywood actress Dorcas Fapson who accused a Taxify driver of sexually assaulting and trying to kidnap her, the Nigerian Police in new tweets today, disclosed that pepper spray use is illegal.
The use of pepper spray was declared illegal, after a lady tweeted that she was at Igando Police Station where she was stopped from using pepper spray because it’s an offence.
@yoitspizzzu tweeted;
@YomiShogunle oga yomi your boys have stoped me for owning a pepper spray saying it’s an offense .. currently at Igando police station
Reacting to the tweet, Head of Police Complaints Commission Unit, Abayomi Shogunle wrote;
What are you doing with a pepper spray? Pepper spray is an offensive weapon, Nigeria Law prohibits going armed in the public.
Pepper spray (also known as capsicum spray) is a lachrymatory agent (a chemical compound that irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and temporary blindness) used in policing, riot control, crowd control, and self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears.
Pepper spray is traditionally regarded as security equipment, access to it is regulated by extant security laws in many nations of the world. In the United states of America, It’s an offense to carry/ship pepper spray on a commercial airliner, or possess it beyond the security metal detectors at the airport. Also, it may only be used in situations involving imminent physical threats or fear of bodily harm. It cannot be legally purchased and carried in some states, cities, or counties in all 50 states, it’s usage also have an age requirement.
In Canada, China, Poland, Norway among others there are laws guiding its usage to prevent abuse. Here in Nigeria their no known extant laws guiding its usage, though it has now been declared illegal. It’s sale and usage is not controlled either. When you buy a canister of the security equipment in the UK, you are required by law to sign a non-disclosure agreement with the seller, and file a security report after each usage to the police, it doesn’t occur in Nigeria.
