Hoodlums killed 22 police officers, destroyed 205 stations – IG Adamu

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has confirmed that 22 officers were killed across Nigeria in the aftermath of the End SARS protests.

He also announced that 205 police stations and formations were destroyed.

Adamu, in a statement on Friday by the Force spokesman, Frank MBA, insisted that the police acted professionally and exercised restraint.

His comment followed the report by Amnesty International that police personnel shot at peaceful protesters.

The IGP described the conclusion as untrue, misleading and contrary to all available empirical evidences.

Adamu noted that during the protests, officers used legitimate means to ensure that the protests were carried out in a peaceful manner.

He said in most cases, operatives physically protected and walked side-by-side with the demonstrators.

The IGP reiterated that even when the protests turned violent in some parts of the country, the officers did not use excessive force in managing situations.

“Available reports show that 22 police personnel were extra-judicially killed by some rampaging protesters and scores injured during the protests. Many of the injured personnel are in life-threatening conditions at the hospitals. 205 stations and formations including other critical private and public infrastructure were also damaged by a section of the protesters.

“Despite these unprovoked attacks, our police officers never resorted to the use of unlawful force or shooting at the protesters as alleged in the report. It is also beggars imagination that Amnesty International failed to mention or pay tribute to police officers who were gruesomely murdered during the protests while serving their fatherland.

“The Force decries the discriminatory tendencies exhibited by Amnesty International as seen in the report. One wonders if in the estimation of Amnesty International, police officers are not also human beings equally entitled to the protection of their fundamental rights to life and dignity of human person,” the statement read.

Noting that the Force is committed to the government’s ongoing reforms to improve service delivery, positive police-citizen relationship and respect for human rights, Adamu enjoined AI to ensure they subject their reports to adequate scrutiny and proper verification of facts.