Police IG Places Units on Red Alert Amid #EndBadGovernance Protest Violence

Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has placed all police units on high alert in response to the escalating violence during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria.

Egbetokun announced the measures during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

He noted that the events unfolding in several major cities on the first day of the protests indicated a shift towards mass uprisings and widespread looting. The IGP expressed concern that the original promoters of the protest were absent, leaving the movement vulnerable to hijacking by criminal elements.

Egbetokun condemned the actions of hoodlums who have exploited the situation to unleash chaos, looting businesses, and destroying property. He highlighted the extensive damage reported in several states, including Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, and Jigawa.

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The IGP revealed that police stations had been targeted and that there were attempts in some states to seize government buildings and loot infrastructure. He lamented the widespread looting and destruction of warehouses and shops.

In response to the escalating violence, Egbetokun stated, “In light of the current situation, the Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on red alert. Our officers are fully mobilized and prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any further threats to public safety and order.”

He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting lives and property, and to maintaining law and order across the nation.