Hunger protest: IG condemns violence, places officers on red alert

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned the looting, destruction of properties, and attempts to take over government buildings among others during Thursday’s protest.

He stated that there was destruction in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT Abuja, Niger, and Jigawa.

Egbetokun, speaking during a live broadcast, also said several warehouses and shops have so far been looted, and in several instances, destroyed.

He said, “Regrettably, events in some major cities today showed that what was being instigated was mass uprising and looting, not protest. Those who were at the forefront of promoting the idea of the protest were not around to lead it. Hoodlums have been let loose on innocent Nigerians and their hard-earned businesses and property looted and destroyed.

“The motive of the rioters was two; loot and destroy both private and government property. The destruction so far has been mind-boggling. There has been destruction in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT Abuja, Niger, Jigawa. Police stations have been destroyed, there have been attempts to take over government houses, looting of government infrastructures, several warehouses and shops have so far been looted and, in several instances, destroyed.”

He ordered all police units to be on red alert to ensure public safety.

Egbetokun said, “In light of the current situation, the Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on red alert. Our officers are fully mobilised and prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to public safety and order.”

The IG said the red band on police officer’s arms showed they were on high alert.

He said, “The red bands we are wearing signify that our command is on high alert. Those claiming they were not served court orders must understand that serving faceless individuals is challenging. Their threats were made on social media, and they were served through the same platform.”

Egbetokun noted that police officers didn’t breach protesters’ constitutional rights despite violating court orders.

He said, “Despite the refusal of the protesters, for instance in FCT to adhere to a court order requesting that protest in Abuja should be at the National Stadium, they trooped into the streets, and yet the police provided security for them. At no point did we breach their fundamental rights even as they breached the court order.

“In places like FCT, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, among others, we recorded incidents of unprovoked attacks on security personnel, where one policeman has been reported murdered and others seriously injured.”