Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sunday Erhator, the officer, who gained fame and earned commendations from Nigerians for his professionalism and decorum while being assaulted by a suspect, has revealed he had never shot anyone in his 29 years of service.

WuzupNgeria reports that Erhator was, last Saturday, assaulted and injured by a traffic offender, one Victor Ebhomenyen, at Four Point Hotel in the Oniru area of Lagos State. However, while the suspect was attacking him, the ASP, who was in possession of an AKA 47 rifle at the time maintained restraint and decorum.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police officer was inflicted with severe body injuries by the traffic offender.

His display not only earned him widespread commendation but also social media users in the country donated about N500,000 for him as compensation for the assault.

Erhator, in a PUNCH interview, has now revealed the reasons behind his professional display in the face of the provocation from the suspect, adding that he had “never shot anyone” since joining the force in 1992.

He explained that “shooting people is not a good omen” so he prays to God before any operation that he doesn’t “encounter a situation that would warrant me to shoot.”

On why he did not use his gun on the offender, Erhator revealed that “It was not a criminal issue, it was a civil issue. I can’t resort to the use of my gun just because somebody slapped me. If I did, in the end, my punishment would be worse than that of the person that slapped or harassed me.”

Although Erhator’s professionalism was widely commended by Nigerians, his colleagues however questioned his patience.

He said, “I have received so many comments from my colleagues. They say I am too patient. But I do tell them that age is already telling on me and I have no reason to be angry when I have children like the everyday person I encounter on the job. So, I treat everyone like my child or my younger siblings.”

Erhator however left a piece of advice to some of his colleagues who are guilty of using their guns to harass Nigerians.

“I will tell them that with what has happened and the glory and honour that I am receiving, they should try and be patient, no matter the level of provocation and whatever must have happened provided it does not involve loss of any life. In fact, P in police stands for ‘politeness’, O is for ‘obedience’, L is for ‘loyalty’, I is ‘integrity’, C is ‘courage’ while the E is for ‘endurance’. So, a policeman must possess these attributes and virtues,” he said.