Muhammed Adamu, Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), says the police would not allow a repeat of the recent violent protests which claimed lives of personnel and destruction of property of the force across the country.
Adamu said this at Command Headquarters in Anambra, Southeast Nigeria during a visit to the state on Tuesday.
The visit to Anambra was part of the IGP’s assessment tour of police commands in the country in the aftermath of the #EndSARS violence protests.
Adamu said the Nigeria police was committed to protecting the right of citizens to peaceful protest but warned that the police would not fold its arms and allow miscreants maim and kill their operatives.
He expressed appreciation to President Mohammadu Buhari for commending the force in spite of condemnation from the public which was aimed at demoralising the police.
“Nigerians came out attacking and vilifying the police to demoralize us and prevent us from courageously occupying the public space,” Adamu said.
“But Mr President said no. Vast majority of Nigerian Police are patriotic and committed to protecting lives and property of Nigerians.
“Nigerian Governors Forum also during their discussion on the protest, came up with a common position that not all Nigerian Police officers are bad.
“Many have even pledged to compensate families of those who lost their lives during the protest.”
He announced that the Federal Government has approved the upward review of salary of men of the force, just as he commended over eight Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) for their courage in defending their stations during the protest.
Earlier, Commissioner of Police in the State, John Abang said 19 personnel were victims of the protest out of which four lost their lives and 15 were injured.
He said, “Twelve police formations were burnt and seven were vandalized. Two Armoured Personnel Carriers were damaged and twenty-seven operational vehicles vandalized.”
Abang, however, assured the IGP that the Command was gradually recovering from the incident through the support of the State Government and public spirited individuals.
“Nigerians came out attacking and vilifying the police to demoralize us and prevent us from courageously occupying the public space.
“But Mr. President said no. Vast majority of Nigerian Police are patriotic and committed to protecting lives and property of Nigerians.
“Nigerian Governors forum also during their discussion on the protest, came up with a common position that not all Nigerian Police officers are bad.
“Many have even pledged to compensate families of those who lost their lives during the protest,” he said.
The Police boss said the Federal Government had approved the upward review of salary of men of the force.
The IGP commended over eight Divisional Police Officers for their courage in defending their stations during the protest.
In his remark, Commissioner of Police in the State, John Abang said 19 personnel were victims of the protest out of which four lost their lives and 15 were injured.
According to Abang,, 12 police formations were burnt and seven were vandalized. Two Armoured Personnel Carriers were damaged and twenty-seven operational vehicles vandalized.”
Abang, however, assured the IGP that the Command was fastly recovering from the incident through the support of the State Government and public spirited individuals.
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