IGP instructs police officers to use legitimate force against violent persons

In a bid to protect lives and properties in the country, Mohammed Adamu, the Inspector General of Police has on Saturday, November 7, 2020, instructed police officers to deploy legitimate force against violent persons.

The police boss in a statement urged police operatives in the country to prevent further attacks on private and public assets by violent persons or groups operating under any guise.

In the statement titled, ‘Resist All Violent And Riotous Elements Forthwith: IGP Orders AIG, CPS’, and signed by the Force Spokesperson, Frank Mba, Adamu said he won’t allow the recurrence of the “attacks, killings, arson, wanton destruction, and looting of public and private assets witnessed during the recent violent protests in some parts of the country.”

The statement reads, “The IGP restates that Commands’ 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 .

“(a) For the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property; (b) In order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained; or (c) For the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny.

“The IGP affirms 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. He warns that the Force shall deploy the full weight of the law and legitimate force (if necessary) in preventing a reoccurrence.

“Recall that in the wake of the ENDSARS protests and the violence that emanated therefrom, a total of fifty-one (51) civilian fatalities and thirty-seven (37) civilian injuries were recorded, while a total of twenty-two (22) policemen were gruesomely murdered and twenty-six (26) others injured by the protesters. Two hundred and five (205) police stations, corporate facilities and private property were attacked, burnt or vandalized.

“The IGP assures 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. He calls for the collaboration and support of citizens in the ongoing reforms of the Force.”

This is coming days after the IGP advised police officers to protect themselves against attacks.