Threat of fresh #EndSARS protests: IGP to police: Use legitimate force

Amid threat of fresh wave of #EndSARS protests across the country, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has directed his officers and men to use ‘legitimate force’ to protect their lives, citizens and property.

They are also to protect personnel of other law enforcement agencies and their families from violent persons or groups operating under any guise.

Persecondnews recalls that #EndSARS protests had rocked parts of the country in October which were later hijacked by hoodlums who wreaked havoc on some cities including Lagos and Benin-City, resulting in wanton destruction of billions of naira public and private assets.

Many police stations and prisons  were razed while several policemen were also killed.

A total of 51 fatalities and 37 civilian injuries were recorded, while 22 policemen were gruesomely murdered and 26 others injured by the protesters.

Also, 205 police stations, corporate facilities and private property were attacked, burnt or vandalized during the protests.

However, there were renewed protests in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, last week while the protesters were threatening a relaunch in Lagos.

A statement  said:“The IGP 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.

“The IGP affirms 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.”

The statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, was obtained by Persecondnews.

Adamu warned: The Force would deploy the full weight of the law and legitimate force, if necessary, in preventing a re-occurrence.”