THE Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has urged organizers of the upcoming nationwide protests to conduct themselves peacefully, confirming that four individuals have died in Borno State.
Egbetokun stated at a news conference in Abuja, that while the police force recognizes citizens’ constitutional right to assemble and voice their opinions on matters of national significance, he remains concerned about the potential risks posed by agitation from certain individuals who have displayed disloyalty to the current government.
He explained that, despite the police’s efforts to act in good faith by maintaining professional conduct and providing security at key locations to ensure the protests occur peacefully, some hoodlums managed to infiltrate and take over the demonstrations, engaging in widespread looting.
Egbetokun noted that the police have been placed on high alert across the nation to prevent looting and property damage, and they are fully prepared to respond to the evolving situation, with support from other security agencies, including the military, if necessary.
He also mentioned that some police stations in the country had been set on fire by violent rioters.
He expressed his dismay that the events in major cities yesterday were “mass uprisings and looting, not protests.”
