#EndSARS: 1,596 Suspects Arrested, Destruction In Lagos Worst- IGP

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, on Tuesday said a total number of One thousand, five hundred and ninety-six suspects have been arrested all over Nigeria following the unrest that ensued during the EndSARS protest in the country, adding that Lagos was worst hit because of the level of the destruction that took place in the state.

IGP Adamu said the level of destruction in Lagos shows that the state was badly affected during the unrest that occurred after the protest which was highjacked.

The Inspector General of Police made this disclosure while addressing pressmen at the Lagos Command headquarters, Ikeja during a visit to assess the situation in the state after the crisis that took place during the EndSARs protest.

He however congratulated the Lagos Police for showing restrain during the the protest even at the face of provocation.
“The fact the our officers were able to show restrain by not repelling the hoodlums has shown that no amount of provocation can make the police to be brutal against the citizens, it’s shows that you all are professionals.

“Everyone knows that the police is the face of government in any country, as they are the first sign of authority in the country.”

The IGP added that the EndSARS protest started as a result of a fake news that erupted from Delta state. He said despite the fact that the five demands of the protesters were met, and meetings were held with protesters which included entertainers, musicians and others, they refused to leave the street.

“Everyone knows that if a protest stay too long , it will be hijacked and that is what eventually happened.”

“We know that not everyone in the country are condemning the police because we have received calls from various people commending us, telling us they see and appreciate what we are doing.”

“ Not everyone in the country will agree that police is bad, we have few bad eggs but the majority are good. The police are special Nigerians in charge of the protection of the citizens and we must be treated specially,” the IGP said.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu in his welcome address said the officers and men of the command are not coward, as they have gone back to their various formation and Stations.

The CP said they are not coward as they are ever ready to confront every situations and tackle every activities of lawlessness in the State, also due to Inspector General of police policy on Community policing. “Through the community policing policy we were able to arrest some of the arsonists and the looters.

Odumosu said despite the attack on the personnel’s and burning of stations, formations during the unrest, the officers are not deterred, we are patrioctically, professionally and gallantly to stand before any challenges that confronted us.

He said: “we have arrested five hundred and sixty suspects so far, they are currently being prosecuted in conjunction with the State ministry of Justice and a lot of the looted items have been recovered, we have restored peace to the State and police presence is being felt across the state carrying out our constitutional responsibilities and businesses are also picking up and social activities are coming to is peak.”

“With your presence here our spirit are high now like before, we are not coward, we are ever ready to confront the menace of hoodlums in all ramifications in the command.”

“Through the Inspector General of police community policing, we are working the residents who have assisted us in the recovery of some of the looted items. We also recovered arms and ammunitions and a lot of stolen properties.”