The Inspector-Normal of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned the looting, destruction of properties, and makes an attempt to take over authorities buildings amongst others throughout Thursday’s protest.
He acknowledged that there was destruction in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT Abuja, Niger, and Jigawa.
Egbetokun, talking throughout a dwell broadcast, additionally stated a number of warehouses and retailers have thus far been looted, and in a number of situations, destroyed.
He stated, “Regrettably, occasions in some main cities right now confirmed that what was being instigated was mass rebellion and looting, not protest. Those that have been on the forefront of selling the thought of the protest weren’t round to guide it. Hoodlums have been let free on harmless Nigerians and their hard-earned companies and property looted and destroyed.
“The motive of the rioters was two; loot and destroy each personal and authorities property. The destruction thus far has been mind-boggling. There was destruction in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT Abuja, Niger, Jigawa. Police stations have been destroyed, there have been makes an attempt to take over authorities homes, looting of presidency infrastructures, a number of warehouses and retailers have thus far been looted and, in a number of situations, destroyed.”
He ordered all police items to be on purple alert to make sure public security.
Egbetokun stated, “In gentle of the present scenario, the Nigeria Police Pressure has positioned all items on purple alert. Our officers are totally mobilised and ready to reply swiftly and decisively to public security and order.”
The IG stated the purple band on police officer’s arms confirmed they have been on excessive alert.
He stated, “The purple bands we’re sporting signify that our command is on excessive alert. These claiming they weren’t served court docket orders should perceive that serving faceless people is difficult. Their threats have been made on social media, and so they have been served by way of the identical platform.”
Egbetokun famous that law enforcement officials didn’t breach protesters’ constitutional rights regardless of violating court docket orders.
He stated, “Regardless of the refusal of the protesters, as an illustration in FCT to stick to a court docket order requesting that protest in Abuja must be on the Nationwide Stadium, they trooped into the streets, and but the police supplied safety for them. At no level did we breach their basic rights whilst they breached the court docket order.
“In locations like FCT, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, amongst others, we recorded incidents of unprovoked assaults on safety personnel, the place one policeman has been reported murdered and others severely injured.”