The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has revealed that a police officer was killed while carrying out his duties amidst the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest on Thursday. Naija News reports that the police boss disclosed this during a press conference held in Abuja following the supposed peaceful protest that turned violent in some locations across the country on Thursday.
Egbetokun further disclosed that some of his officers sustained injuries from individuals posing as protesters. The police chief expressed sorrow over the destruction of several police stations across the country by violent rioters.
He emphasized that the incidents witnessed in major cities on Thursday were characterized by “mass uprising and looting” rather than peaceful protests. Despite prior warnings issued by the police, Egbetokun noted that the organizers of the protests were conspicuously absent during the demonstrations, allowing miscreants to hijack the events. In light of these events, the IGP said that the force has placed all units on red alert.
“Police stations have been destroyed. There have been attempts to take over government houses,” Egbetokun said, adding that looting of public and private warehouses and facilities was widespread. “In places like FCT, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, among others, we recorded incidents of unprovoked attacks on our security personnel where one policeman has been reported murdered and others seriously injured.
“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 IGP said.
