The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, has ordered the immediate mobilization of all police operational assets and resources to restore normalcy across Nigeria.
He ordered the Police to bring an end to the wanton violence, killings, looting and destruction of public and private property, and reclaim the public space from criminal elements masquerading as protesters in some parts of the country, Police spokesman, Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, said in a statement.
The IGP gave the order to all Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police, Heads of Police Operational Units, Squadron and Base Commanders in charge of Zonal/State/FCT Commands, the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit and the Special Protection Unit, today 24th October 2020, Mba said.
Nigeria has been embroiled in an unprecedented wave or arson, killing, looting, and mass destruction after soldiers fired live bullets on unarmed protesters in Lagos last Tuesday.
Various public and private houses, police stations, and transportation facilities have been looted and torched, while tens of people, including policemen, have been killed in different towns across the country.
In addition, the Police head asked the CPs/Heads of Police Formations in the various states to mobilize their men and work in collaboratively with the Command CPs in the areas where they are domiciled, to dominate the public space and ensure peace and safety in the affected areas.
“The IGP, while noting that enough is enough to all acts of lawlessness, disruption of public peace and order and wanton violence which have resulted in indiscriminate looting of shops, malls, and warehouses, damage to property and loss of lives in some parts of the country further directs the Police strategic managers to personally lead and coordinate the operation and use all legitimate means, to halt a further slide into lawlessness and brigandage,” Mba said.
The IGP enjoined law-abiding citizens not to panic but rather join forces with the police and other members of the law enforcement community to protect their communities from the criminal elements.
He further called for the understanding and cooperation of the citizens assuring that the action is geared towards ensuring public order and safety and public security in our communities.
“The IGP however warns trouble-makers not to test the collective will of the nation by coming out to cause any further breakdown of law and order,” Mba added.
