- Lauds Efforts In Maintaining Law And Order
By Gbenga Abulude (Politics and General Desk)
Following the low morale among officers of the Nigeria Police Force presently as a result of the public backlash against the force, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, on Friday urged policemen to defend themselves if they are assaulted, adding that they should not abandon their responsibilities of safeguarding lives and properties as a result of insults and provocation from the public.
He commended the policemen for their professionalism and efforts to protect lives and property as well as maintain law and order during the #EndSARS protests.
As part of efforts to boost the morale of the security operatives in the wake of violence and wanton destruction that trailed the #ENDSARS protests, the IGP addressed policemen at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command in Abuja.
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The Police Chief said police officers are also humans and have a right to life and should defend themselves when in danger and their lives are under threat.
Adamu announced that adequate compensation will be made available to the families of all policemen that lost their lives during the protests.
He commended the police officers for displaying maximum restraint during the #EndSARS protests, even in the face of provocation adding that the aim of the provocation and insults was to demoralise the police.
“I am here to commiserate with you. I saw how you went to deal with the difficult situation in order to maintain peace and order. This happened because of the #ENDSARS protests, which was supposed to be peaceful but turned violent.
“Despite all the attacks by protesters you went about to protect them. It became dangerous even for police officers. Individuals were attacked and vehicles and property, destroyed. I thank you for showing restraint. You acted professionally. The aim was to demoralise you but you were exceptional.
“For those that lost their lives all over the country during the #ENDSARS protests they will not die in vain. There will be adequate compensation for them in an extensive manner. They served the country at the expense of their lives.
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“If anyone assaults you, you can protect yourselves. When we talk of human rights, the police are humans. Their lives should also be protected. We are sending the message that legally, we have the right to protect ourselves.
“If the police is demoralized, criminals will take over the public space and we will not let that happen. No amount of insults and provocation will make us shy away from our responsibilities,” he said.
The Federal Government will never accept for any police officer to lose his or her life.
“Government is very committed to a holistic reformation of the police which is the reason, the Police Trust Fund was established. Henceforth, everything a policeman needs to perform his duties will be provided, he said.
Adamu said the police will soon unveil the package they have for officers that lost their lives during the protests.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr Bala Ciroma, said 16 major incidences emanated from violent clashes which erupted at Berger Roundabout, Apo-Kabusa, Kubwa and Dutse Alhaji, during the protests.
He said, this sad incidences were followed by a series of looting and vandalization of public infrastructure, warehouses and other private properties across the city.
10 lives were lost in the process and there was various degrees of injuries sustained by people .
Ciroma said the FCT Command remained resolute in the discharge of its fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and property, but have challenges of operational vehicles, shortage of manpower and riot equipment.
He demanded for additional operational vehicles, manpower and riot equipment to boost their operational capacity.
The IGP afterwards inaugurated a committee to assess the loss of lives and damages of structures and properties of the Nigeria Police nationwide and it was headed by CP Abuto Yaro.
He was mandated to report back in the next three weeks.
Recall that In the wake of the unrest following the #EndSARS protests, President Muhammadu Buhari in a meeting with former Heads of State held last week announced that 11 policemen and 7 soldiers were killed in the discharge of their duties during the #EndSARS protests that were hijacked by hoodlums.
Buhari also said 51 civilians were killed and 37 civilians were injured, following the protests against police brutality.
