Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has directed police personnel to protect themselves against attacks.
He spoke on Friday during an assessment tour of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Abuja.
Police personnel have been off the streets in major parts of the country in the wake of the #EndSARS crisis.
“The unity of this country lies in the support that is given to police officers because if you are demoralised, the tendency is for criminals to take over the public space and the country is relying on us to make sure that the public space is not taken over by the criminals. So no amount of provocation, no amount of insult would make us shy away from our responsibilities,” Adamu said.
“Inasmuch as we are aware that the government is behind us; so, we would encourage you to keep performing your duties. We would encourage you to be professional, to be civic, but if anybody touches you, if anybody comes to assault you, you can also protect yourself.
“When we talk of human rights, the police are human; so, the rights of police officers would also be protected. So, we are sending the message that legally, we have the right to protect ourselves but while we are doing that, we make sure that until we are endangered.”
The IGP added that the government and the Nigeria Police Force would soon roll out packages for the families of officers who died in the #EndSARS crisis.
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