- Gives Situation Update, Places Police on Alert
By kawaekwune Jeffrey
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s denunciation of the nationwide protests on Thursday has triggered reactions from Nigerians.
The nationwide protests which was greeted by looting, and destruction of properties in some parts of the country drew the ire of the Police Chief who cautioned that he has put the entire police machinery on red alert to avert further chaos.
In a live broadcast focusing on the protest, Egbetokun ordered all police units to be on high alert to ensure public safety.
“Police stations have been destroyed. There have been attempts to take over government houses,” Egbetokun stated, noting that widespread looting of public and private warehouses and facilities had occurred.
“In locations such as FCT, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe, we recorded incidents of unprovoked attacks on our security personnel, resulting in the death of one policeman and serious injuries to others.
“In light of the current situation, the Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on high alert. Our officers are fully mobilized and prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to ensure public safety and order,” Egbetokun declared.
He warned further:” We acknowledge the right of citizens to protest, but this right is not absolute. Citizens also have duties and responsibilities towards their nation, including being law-abiding and loyal. Understanding your rights is important, but it is equally crucial to fulfill your duties and responsibilities.
“The red bands we are wearing signify that our command is on high alert. Those claiming they were not served court orders must understand that serving faceless individuals is challenging. Their threats were made on social media, and they were served through the same platform.”
Egbetokun’s declaration has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some argue that the Police boss has done the right thing, others are of the view that the efforts would yield no fruitful results. According to the former, it is the duty of the police to maintain law and order as well as ensure public safety.
These developments underscore the escalating tensions and the government’s response to maintain law and order amidst rising public discontent.
The Police Chief also underlined the right to protest and the necessity of the Police to uphold public safety and ensure adequate adherence to the law.
