BEVERLY HILLS, November 07, (THEWILL) – The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed 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.
Adamu also ordered the use of legitimate force to “prevent attacks on private/public assets from any violent person(s) or group(s) operating under any guise.”
A statement on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba said the order is in accordance with Section 33 (1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)
He added that the constitution provides for the use of reasonable force to defend “any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property; to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained; suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny.”
The IGP further said that the Force will not “tolerate a repeat of the horrendous attacks and killings, arson, wanton destruction, looting of public and private assets witnessed during the recent violent protests in some parts of the country.”
He warned that the Force shall deploy the full weight of the law and legitimate force in preventing a recurrence.
The IGP said “a total of 51 civilian fatalities and 37 civilian injuries, 22 policemen killed and 26 others injured, 205 police stations, corporate facilities and private property were attacked, burnt or vandalized during the #EndSARS protest.”
The IGP assured law abiding citizens of the Force’s commitment to safety and security as we approach the yuletide.
He called for collaboration and support of citizens in the ongoing reform of the Force.
