The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate mobilization of all police operational assets and resources to bring an end to the wanton violence, killings, looting and destruction of public and private property, which the country has witnessed in the last few days.
Talking tough, the IGP ordered the police officers to reclaim the public space from criminal elements masquerading as protesters in some parts of the country.
The directive was to all Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), Heads of Police Operational Units, Squadron and Base Commanders in charge of Zonal/State/FCT Commands, the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit and the Special Protection Unit.
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A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, on Saturday, quoted the IGP as saying further: “In addition, CPs/Heads of Police Formations in the various states have also been charged to mobilize their men and work in sync with the Command CPs in the areas where they are domiciled, to dominate the public space and ensure peace and safety in the affected areas.”
According to the statement: “The IGP, while noting that enough is enough to all acts of lawlessness, disruption of public peace and order and wanton violence which have resulted to indiscriminate looting of shops, malls and ware houses, damage to property and loss of lives in some parts of the country, further directs the Police strategic managers to personally lead and coordinate the operation and use all legitimate means, to halt further slide into lawlessness and brigandage.”
Meanwhile, the IGP called on law-abiding citizens not to panic but rather join forces with the police and other members of the law enforcement community to protect their communities from the criminal elements.
He also called for the understanding and cooperation of the citizens assuring that the action is geared towards ensuring public order and safety and public security in our communities.
Adamu warned trouble-makers not to test the collective will of the nation by coming out to cause any further breakdown of law and order.
