The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has announced that over 1,590 suspects have been arrested across the country following the widespread looting and rioting that occurred during the post protests violence.
The IG disclosed this in Lagos during a visit to the Lagos State Command Headquarters, Ikeja to check out the burnt police stations in the state.
What you should know
Nairametrics reported that a police station in Orile-Iganmu amongst other police stations across the country was set on fire on the 20th of October by suspected thugs in Lagos as the #EndSARS protests continued. Some policemen were also lynched by a mob of hoodlums following the ensuing unrest.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila disclosed that Lagos State will need about N1 trillion for the reconstruction and repair of the properties and infrastructure that was vandalized and destroyed by hoodlums.
The IG of Police said the 5 demands of the protesters were met within 4 days, as the demands could lead to Police reforms. He added that as protesters remained on the streets, there was a tendency for the protests to turn violent.
“When they campaigned against SARS they came up with five demands and after about four days protest, the authorities acceded to those demands because they were demands that could lead to reforming SARS.
“Our expectation was that after that, the protesters will all go back and leave the streets, but then they didn’t.
“Every security agent knows that when people come out to protest without observing the protocol, there is always a tendency for the protest to subsequently turn violent,” he said.
He also added that the hoodlums attacked public and government property, which provoked the police. However, the Police showed restraint by not using maximum force.
“We witnessed the destruction of public properties as well as police stations and businesses.
“The attack by hoodlums in this manner has the tendency to provoke the police and when we are provoked we have the capacity and strength to repel these people.
“However, we have shown restraint by not using maximum force to repel the hoodlums and criminals that went about destroying properties and killing people.
“So, that resilience that you have in showing restrain has shown that no amount of provocation will lead you to give credence to what they have been preaching on police brutality,” he said.
Not only the arrests but what you’ve killed is more than what you’be arrested, too bad. Look how many into youths you’be killed GOD will surely judge you all. All of you with your supporters unless there’s no juststice on the throne of THE SOVEREIGN GOD in heaven. The judgement is coming with speed even on our betrayers led by NYESOM WIKE.