The Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, has on Tuesday charged policemen in Lagos not be discouraged or demoralised by the recent killings of officers and attacks by hoodlums who hijacked the #EndSARS protests across the state.
Adamu gave the charge on Tuesday during a condolence visit to the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on fact-finding tour of the state and massive destructions suffered.
While addressing journalists in Lagos after a closed-door meeting with the governor at the State House, Marina, Adamu urged officers to see what happened to them as part of the risks on the job.
The IG stressed that the events of the mayhem should not deter them from performing their constitutional duties.
While acknowledging the fact that the morale of men of Nigeria police is currently low, Adamu encouraged them not to be demoralised by the ugly incident.
Adamu noted that Lagos seems to be the epicentre where the incident took place, stressing that the level of destruction is more in Lagos than any other state.
“I am here to commiserate with the governor of Lagos State and the people of the state on the level of destruction of lives and public property as well as private businesses which were uncalled for,” he said.
According to the IG, his visit is to see the police stations that were destroyed, talk to officers and men of the Nigerian Police.
For Adamu, his visit was also to encourage them not to be deterred.
“They are specially trained to take this kind of risk because by the nature of policing they are exposed to this type of danger and now that this has happened, it shouldn’t discourage us from performing our constitutional duties.
“The morale of some of them has been dampened so the visit is to encourage them not to be discouraged but come out to protect lives and property,” he said.
He also enjoined residents that whenever they want to undertake a peaceful protest, it is very important to set up a protocol to avoid miscreants from hijacking the protest.
“The moment you allowed that, the intent of the protest will be defeated as in the case of this peaceful protest we witnessed,” he pointed out.
He further charged that “We hope in future if we must embark on peaceful protest, we must observe some protocols so that we don’t allow miscreants to hijack the protest.”
Adamu hinted that no nation would be able to bear the loss as “We have seen in Lagos. Even if they will be able to bear the loss, it will take a long time”.
