Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has reported the tragic death of a police officer during the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests that erupted across the country on Thursday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Egbetokun also revealed that several officers were injured and some police stations were set ablaze by hoodlums posing as protesters.
“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 ensure public safety and order,” Egbetokun stated.
He described the events unfolding in major cities not as protests but as “mass uprising and looting.”
Egbetokun expressed disappointment that the leaders of the protests were absent, leaving the demonstrations vulnerable to being hijacked by criminal elements.
“Police stations have been destroyed. There have been attempts to take over government houses,” he said.
The IGP detailed that in various locations, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe, there were incidents of unprovoked attacks on security personnel.
He confirmed that one police officer had been murdered, while others sustained serious injuries in these confrontations.