Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has claimed that since August 1, when the #EndBadGovernance protest commenced nationwide that no security operatives has fired gunshots nor force on innocent protesters.
He stated this as Nigerian security agencies on Tuesday announced the arrest of key sponsors behind protesters brandishing foreign flags and calling for a change in government during the ongoing 10 days protest.
During a joint media briefing held at the Defence Headquarters on Tuesday, Egbetokun confirmed that several high-profile sponsors are now in custody, with investigations underway to uncover their motivations.
According to him, both domestic and international funders of the violence have been identified, with their accounts blocked to disrupt further financing.
“Funders of the violence and subversion both within and outside the country have been tracked and their sources of funding stopped,” he stated.
IGP Egbetokun noted that the police have managed the crisis with restraint, opting to use tear gas rather than deploying water cannons or live ammunition.
Addressing the reported shooting of an innocent protester in Kubwa, Abuja, he clarified that the incident was not the work of police operatives but likely the result of criminal activities by armed robbers or hoodlums.
“Since August 1, nobody has fired gunshots, and we didn’t use force on innocent protesters,” Egbetokun said.