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The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered police officers in the country to deploy “legitimate force” in order to protect the lives and properties of citizens in the country.
Making the statement on Saturday by the Force Spokesman, Frank Mba, Adamu instructed the cops to prevent further attacks on private and public assets that could be caused by “violent persons or groups operating under any guise”.
The IGP said he will not allow a recurrence of the “attacks, killings, arson, wanton destruction, and looting of public and private assets witnessed during the recent violent protests in some parts of the country.”
Adamu restates that Command Commissioners of Police and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police should resist all riotous elements forthwith and checkmate any form of violent/riotous protests in line with Section 33 (1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which among other things provides for the use of such force as is reasonably necessary –
“For the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property; In order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained; or For the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny.”
He thereby affirmed that the Force will not tolerate a repeat of the horrendous attacks and killings, arson and wanton destruction, and looting of public and private assets witnessed during the recent violent protests in some parts of the country. He warns that the Force shall deploy the full weight of the law and legitimate force (if necessary) in preventing a reoccurrence.
The police Boss recall that in the wake of the ENDSARS protests and the violence that emanated therefrom, a total of fifty-one (51) civilian fatalities and thirty-seven (37) civilian injuries were recorded, while a total of twenty-two (22) policemen were gruesomely murdered and twenty-six (26) others injured by the protesters. Two hundred and five (205) police stations, corporate facilities and private property were attacked, burnt or vandalized.
He assured law-abiding citizens across the country of the Force’s renewed and unwavering commitment to their safety and security especially as we approach the yuletide.
