IGP orders policemen to protect themselves when attacked

Etim Ekpimah

The Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has asked policemen and officers to protect themselves against attacks.

Speaking on Friday during an assessment tour of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Abuja, Adamu said police personnel have been off the streets in major parts of the country in the wake of the #EndSARS crisis.

He said: “The unity of this country lies in the support that is given to police officers because if you are demoralised, the tendency is for criminals to take over the public space and the country is relying on us to make sure that the public space is not taken over by the criminals. So, no amount of provocation, no amount of insult would make us shy away from our responsibilities.

“Inasmuch as we are aware that the government is behind us; so, we would encourage you to keep performing your duties. We would encourage you to be professional, to be civic, but if anybody touches you, if anybody comes to assault you, you can also protect yourself.

“When we talk of human rights, the police are human; so, the rights of police officers would also be protected. So, we are sending the message that legally, we have the right to protect ourselves but while we are doing that, we make sure that until we are endangered.” According to Adamu, government and the Nigeria Police Force will soon roll out packages for the families of officers, who died in the #EndSARS crisis.