The Inspector General of Police, Mohamed Adamu, has charged Police operatives in Abia state to abide by the rules of engagement in the discharge of their duties.
The IGP who was in the state to acertain the impact of #EndSARS protest, said the protest started as a result of fake news on the social media about a man who jumped off a moving vehicle on siting a team of security operatives in Delta State.
He said the man didn’t die as portrayed on the social media, and SARS was not involved in the incident but it ended up in the #EndSARS protest.
He said, “The protest was peaceful when it started and we gave security to the protesters, but when the organizers felt the purpose was not being achieved they turned violent, Police men were killed, injured and police post were burnt down across the country.
“They went as far as attacking private institutions, private homes and looted peoples’ properties.
“When the protest was on, we never received encouragement from the public, but rather people were talking about police burutality. But we appreciate the president and some private individuals who understood the role we are playing in securing lives and prosperities.
“We have learnt our lessons from the #EndSARS protest and we will never allow a protest of that magnitude to happen again in the Country.”
The IGP charged the Police operatives to use their fire arm to maim hoodlums trying to cause mayhem in the society.
“The Government has given us the fire arm to protect lives and properties and not to kill, so if hoodlums wants to destroy government properties, kill People and even pose a threat to your lives aim at their knees to incapacitate them,” he said.
In a statement, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State, Mrs Janet Agbede, alleged that the members of Indigenous people of Biafra hijacked the #EndSARS protest to cause mayhem in the state.
She pointed out that two police inspectors were killed and one police post and a defunt political party building were burnt during the protest.
The IGP, who paid a courtesy call on the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, also received some operational vehicles from the Governor.
Adamu, also commissioned some completed police projects in the State including the permanent site of the zone 9 police headquarters in Umuahia the state capital.
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