Protest: Respond swiftly, decisively to public safety – IGP orders police, condemns looting, attack on police

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered personnel to be fully mobilised and prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to public safety and order.

Egbetokun, who gave the order, condemned the attack on police and facilities by hoodlums during the #EndBadGovernance protests which kicked off nationwide on Thursday.

According to the IGP, a police officer was killed while several others were injured. He lamented that the events in major cities on Thursday were characterised by “mass uprisings and looting, not protests.”

The police chief said some police stations across the country were set ablaze by rioters. He emphasised that the leaders of the protests were not present to lead the rallies despite the initial warnings from the police, which allowed hoodlums to take over the demonstrations.

He said, “Police stations have been destroyed. There have been attempts to take over government houses,” Egbetokun stated, adding that looting of public and private warehouses and facilities was rampant.

“In places like FCT, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe, among others, we recorded incidents of unprovoked attacks on our security personnel, where one policeman has been reported murdered and others seriously injured.

“In light of the current situation, the Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on red alert.

“Our officers are fully mobilised and prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to public safety and order.”