Protest: IGP Places Police Units On Red Alert

Following the incidences of violence recorded in the ongoing protest, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olukayode Egbetokun, has placed all police units on red alert.

Egbetokun made the announcement at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja, saying the events in some major cities in the country on Day 1 of the protest showed that the protest had turned into be mass uprising and looting.

He said that those who were at the forefront of promoting the idea of the protest were not around to lead it.

According to him, hoodlums have been let loose on innocent Nigerians, and their hard-earned businesses and property looted and destroyed.

The police boss said the motive of the rioters was basically two; to loot and destroy both private and government property.

Egbetokun said the destruction so far had been mind-boggling, adding that there were destruction in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT, Niger and Jigawa States.

He said police stations had been destroyed with attempts in some states to take over government houses and looting government infrastructures.

The I-G said several warehouses and shops had so far been looted and in several instances, completely destroyed.

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“Our officers are fully mobilised and prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any further threats to public safety and order.

“We remain committed and resolute to protecting life and property and ensuring that law and order are maintained across the nation,” he said.

He called on groups, hiding under the guise of exercising a right provided in the constitution to destabilise the country, to remember that the same constitution imposed on them to obey the laws of the land.