The Assistant Commissioner of Police and head of Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit, Yomi Shogunle, has said ladies who move around with pepper spray may be unwittingly committing an offence.

According to the distinguished police officer, pepper spray is an offensive weapon.

Shogunle made the statement via his Twitter handle when he reacted to a report by a lady, Dolapo Pizzu.

The lady had taken to her Twitter account, @yoitspizzu, to complain to Shogunle that she has been arrested for being in possession of pepper spray.

Shogunle, in turn, showed support to his colleagues by branding it an offensive weapon.

The Criminal Code Act, chapter 36, subsection 403B describes an offensive weapon as:

“offensive weapon” means any article apart from a firearm made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person or intend by the person having it for such use by him and it includes an air gun, air pistol, bow and arrow, spear, cutlass, matchet, dagger, cudgel, or any piece of wood, metal, glass or stone capable of being used as an offensive weapon.

Nigerians, who reacted to Shogunle’s description of pepper spray as an offensive weapon, expressed dismay at the police officer’s response.

See some comments below:

You asking us to be defenseless. You're men are shooting people down like dogs. But pepper spray is dangerous. Do you even know what a pepper spray is? How is poper spray an offensive weapon? Why do you chose to be backward in this 2018? Please explain?Cause I don't understand

— Lasbrey Oj (@iamlasbrey_) April 17, 2018

I used to think you’re learned and cultured officer but now I know you’re as foolish and useless as your colleagues. What do you know about the Nigerian law, can you quote the law for me? MTF.

— Frankbill Official (@Franklindavid50) April 17, 2018

Wrong! Pepper spray is a defensive weapon, and it only comes into use when there is threat to life. Nigeria is so backwards that it hurts.

— Sammie (@Adonis4all) April 17, 2018

Wrong! Pepper spray is a defensive weapon, and it only comes into use when there is threat to life. Nigeria is so backwards that it hurts.

— Sammie (@Adonis4all) April 17, 2018

Imagine reducing the ways in which women can protect themselves from rapists. And this, coming from someone whose job is to protect us. SMH. That country makes no sense. Nigeria keeps giving us more reasons to leave and never return.

— Icky Vicky (@vickyhhun) April 17, 2018

In 2018 when women are the mercy of rapists, you're declaring pepper spray an offensive weapon. Nigeria Police keeps sinking deeper daily.

— – jeffrey (@VillageParrot) April 17, 2018

What?! How is this an offense to ri olorun?‍♀️ hope they didn’t rough handle you ? @SubDeliveryZone pls is there anyone that can be contacted?!

— Drippinginfinesse? (@PerfumeandChocs) April 17, 2018

Pepper spray is sold all over the world as a self-defence tools against would be rapist, mugger and any criminal minded assault.

Na wa for Nigeria o

— Papi of Houz Balogun (@OpomuleroFAJ) April 17, 2018

Nigeria Law prohibits going armed in the public yet Fulani cattle rearers move about with AK47 riffles and swords freely, all over the land. Why? Are they above the Nigeria Law that prohibits going armed in the public?

— Onyebuchi Nwachukwu (@tonyblaitz) April 17, 2018

you know what to do, settle them. they are that easy

— awolaru seye (@thisisseye) April 17, 2018