The Inspector General Of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has warned that the police would resist any further attempt by miscreants to embark on fresh protest over EndSARS, adding that officers and men are ordered to apply maximum force in quelling subsequent protests in future.
Adamu who handed down the warning, on Tuesday, in Awka, while inspecting police formations destroyed in Anambra State during the protest said that the police would resist any attempt to attack government property as well as police formations in the country.
Adamu, however, explained that the protest was as a result of an incident at Ughelli in Delta State where a joint task force on security was after suspects and one jumped out of a moving vehicle and was crushed by a moving vehicle.
He further narrated that someone videoed the incident and posted it which led to the nationwide protest across the country, adding that the officers and men of the force have been ordered to ensure that law and order are maintained in their various formations.
He reiterated the force commitment to protecting the right of citizens to peaceful protest, assuring that the Police would not fold its arms and allow miscreants maim and kill their operatives.
He expressed appreciation to President Mohammadu Buhari for commending the force amidst condemnation from the public with a view to demoralising the police.
“Nigerians came out attacking and vilifying the police to demoralise us and prevent us from courageously occupying the public space.
“But Mr President said no. The vast majority of Nigerian Police are patriotic and committed to protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.
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“Nigerian Governors forum also during their discussion on the protest, came up with a common position that not all Nigerian Police officers are bad.
“Many have even pledged to compensate families of those who lost their lives during the protest.
The Police boss announced that the Federal Government has approved the upward review of the salary of men of the force, just as he commended over eight Divisional Police Officers for their courage in defending their stations during the protest.
In his welcome speech, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr John Bassey Abang, said 19 personnel were victims of the protest out of which four lost their lives and fifteen were injured.
Abang said: “Twelve police formations were burnt and seven were vandalised. Two Armoured Personnel Carriers were damaged and twenty-seven operational vehicles vandalised.”
The Commissioner, however, assured the IGP that the Command was gradually recovering from the incident through the support of the State Government and public-spirited individuals.
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