Gbenro Adesina
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Muhammed Abubakah Adamu on Tuesday October 2020, declared that the Nigeria Police Force has arrested 12 suspects in connection with the attacks and arson on Police Stations in Benin, Edo State, adding that five AK47 rifles stolen from vandalised police stations have also been recovered.
It would be recalled that yesterday some protesting crowd in Benin, capital of Edo State stormed a correctional centre and freed some prisoners. The IGP called on members of the public to avail the police with useful information that could lead to the re-arrest of the fleeing inmates, unlawfully released from correctional facilities.
Adamu, who stated this in a statement, noted that he has ordered immediate nationwide deployment of anti-riot police unit – the Police Mobile Force (PMF) – to protect lives and property of all Nigerians and secure critical national infrastructure across the country.
The IGP has also ordered massive deployment of Police operatives to strengthen security around correctional facilities nationwide.
The orders are coming on the heels of increasing attacks including acts of arson and malicious damage to public and private facilities as recorded in some states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Consequently, the Commissioners of Police in the 36 states of the Federation and the FCT are to identify and isolate law-breakers from peaceful protesters; immediately arrest and diligently prosecute such perpetrators of violence in their respective commands.
