Inspector General of Police redploys policemen attached to Personalities

The Inspector-General of Police Muhammed Adamu has ordered the deployment of all legitimate force to protect lives and property of citizens including police officers and personnel of other law enforcement agencies and their families.

Penpushing reports that, the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba made this known in a statement adding that the deployment is also to prevent attacks on private/public assets from any violent person(s) or group(s) operating under any guise.

The police boss restated that Command Commissioners of Police and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police should resist all riotous elements forthwith and checkmate any form of violent/riotous protests in line with Section 33 (1) & (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which among other things provides for the use of such force as is reasonably necessary

Penpushing further reports that, the statement said the above section of the constitution empower police for the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property; in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained; or for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny.

The Inspector General affirmed that the force will not tolerate a repeat of the horrendous attacks and killings, arson and wanton destruction, and looting of public and private assets witnessed during the recent violent protests in some parts of the country.

Penpushing reports that, Adamu warned that the force shall deploy the full weight of the law and legitimate force (if necessary) in preventing a reoccurrence, recalling that in the wake of protests against police brutality and the violence that emanated there from, a total of 51 civilian fatalities and 37 civilian injuries were recorded.

The police chieftain added that a total of twenty-two policemen were gruesomely murdered and 26 others injured by the protesters, while 205) police stations, corporate facilities and private property were attacked, burnt or vandalized.

Penpushing further reports that, Adamu assured law abiding citizens across the country of the force’s renewed and unwavering commitment to their safety and security especially as we approach the yuletide, and equally called for the collaboration and support of citizens in the ongoing reforms of the force.