Xenophobic attacks: IGP places Police formations on red alert nationwide

Worried by the reprisal attacks on business outfits linked to the South Africans operating in the country over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu, on Wednesday placed all Police formations on red alert to curb the ugly trend.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, DCP Frank Mba.

According to the statement, the IGP  ordered a “water-tight security around  embassies, foreign missions, foreigners and their businesses within the country”

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He stated that ” this order is against the backdrop of the unfortunate attack on Shoprite outlets in Lekki Area of Lagos State on 3rd September 2019 by some miscreants who attacked and looted the Malls ostensibly under the pretext of protesting against the incessant “xenophobic” attacks in South Africa”.

DCP Mba explained that consequently, “all Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police across the Federation have been placed on red alert to ensure no similar violence is replicated within the country”.

He disclosed that already a total of 125 suspects have been arrested in connection with the reprisal attacks while a good number of looted valuables have been recovered by the Police.

The FPRO added that the IGP condemned the violent attacks and noted that three police officers were seriously injured and a Police operational vehicle set ablaze.

According to him, ” while recognizing the rights of citizens to air their views on salient national issues as enshrined in our statutes, the Force reiterates that these must be done within the confines of the law.

He warned miscreants and criminally-minded people who are masquerading as genuine protesters to stay off the streets of Nigeria as the Force would not hesitate to bring to bear the full weight of the law on any such lawbreaker.

He equally urged parents and guardians to prevail on their children and wards to desist from acts capable of causing the breakdown of law and order in the country.