Tobias Sylvester
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate nationwide deployment of anti-riot police unit, amid the ongoing protest against the extrajudicial activities of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The anti-riot police unit, also known as the Police Mobile Force, were ordered to protect lives and property of Nigerians amid the ongoing violence that has marred the #EndSARS protests rocking the country.
This was contained in statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, titled, ‘Attacks On Police Facilities, Others – IGP Orders Deployment Of Anti-Riot Police Officers’.
IGP Adamu said the deployment of the special police unit is to secure critical national infrastructure across the country.
“The IGP has also ordered massive deployment of Police operatives to strengthen security around Correctional facilities nationwide.
“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.
“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 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.”
He advised parents and guardians “to prevail on their children and 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.”
This is coming just a few hours after Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state owing to the outbreak of violence amid the ongoing #EndSARS protest.
KanyiDaily had also reported that Governor Godwin Obaseki imposed a 24-hour curfew in Edo State after suspected hoodlums invaded a prison facility and set inmates free.
