The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Adamu, on Tuesday ordered immediate nationwide deployment of an anti-riot police unit – the Police Mobile Force (PMF) – to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians and secure critical national infrastructure across the country.
This directive follows as suspected hoodlums had hijacked the #EndSARS campaign in some cities, wreaked havoc on citizens and vandalised public assets in Lagos, Benin, Abuja, amongst other major cities.
In statement made available to Control TV, the force public relations officer, DCP Frank Mba, also noted that the IGP ordered massive deployment of Police operatives to strengthen security around Correctional facilities nationwide.
The statement reads in part; “The orders are coming on the heels of increasing attacks including acts of arson and malicious damage to public and private facilities as recorded in some States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Consequently, the Commissioners of Police in the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation and the FCT are to identify and isolate law-breakers from peaceful protesters; immediately arrest and diligently prosecute such perpetrators of violence in their respective Commands.
“The IGP notes that twelve (12) suspects have been arrested in connection with the attacks and arson on Police Stations in Benin, Edo State. Five (5) AK47 rifles earlier stolen from vandalized Police Stations have also been recovered.
“The Inspector-General of Police calls on members of the public to avail the police with useful information that can lead to the re-arrest of the fleeing inmates, unlawfully released from Correctional facilities.”
Meanwhile, the IGP has advised parents/guardians to prevail on their children/wards to steer-clear of acts of violence and criminality as the Force will henceforth exercise the full powers of the law to prevent any further attempt on lives and property of citizens.
(C) Control TV 2020.
