The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu urged the men and officers of the force not to be demoralised by the #EndSARS protest calling for the scrapping of the SARS unit but rather to come out with renewed vigour to perform their duties.
The IGP gave the charge in Abeokuta on Thursday during his visit to the Ogun State Police Command.
Adamu’s visit to Ogun State was part of his efforts to boost the morale of police officers after the attack on them during the recent End SARS protest.
While addressing men and officers of the command, Adamu urged them not to be demoralised by the attacks suffered during the protest.
He charged them not to be afraid of carrying out their duties as a result of the criticisms against them, saying no society survives without the police.
” We are encouraging you to go out there and perform your duties without fear or favour and without being afraid of any victimization. Be courageous, be civil and be calm and follow the procedures in performing your duties.
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“Your arms are supposed to be used to protect lives and property. Constitutionally when there is a violent protest, the constitution allows you to use your firearm, when individuals or groups of people are unlawful, you are allowed to use your firearm.
“In defence of yourself and you have no other means to escape from any attack, you are allowed to use your firearm but you are not allowed to kill. As police officers, you are not allowed to kill, when you use your firearm you are supposed to maim.”
“If in the process of performing your duties, a mistake comes up, and we know that you followed all the necessary procedures, we shall be behind you, we shall support and make sure that you are not molested,” Adamu said.
The IGP revealed that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has taken various steps to reform the Nigerian police.
According to him, “The government has approved an extension of health scheme to retired police personnel. The police salary structure has been reviewed upward, affecting all ranks.”
He added further that plans have been concluded for the renovation of police barracks across the nation.
In his words, the State Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, said the IGP’s visit would re-awaken the dampened morale of the police officers in the state.
Ajogun explained that, about seven divisional headquarters were vandalized in the state, while the DCO of Atan-Ota division, DSP Ogbeche, lost his life.
He added that the police in Ogun have since returned to their duty posts, saying it is their duty to protect lives and property
