The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, has condemned the unprovoked and violent attack on policemen and damage to police operational vehicles and other assets by ENDSARS protesters in Ughelli, Delta State.
This was made known, on Friday, in a statement released by the force public relations officer, DCP Frank Mba.
The statement read in part, “The incident which resulted in the unfortunate death of one Police officer, Corporal Etaga Stanley attached to ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, Delta State who was attacked and brutally murdered by the protesters also left another, Sergeant Patrick Okuone with serious body injury sustained from gunshot by the protesters. The protesters also carted away one (1) service AK47 rifle with breach no 56-2609008 and 25 rounds of live ammunition that was with the deceased at the time of the incident.”
The IGP described the incident as cruel and unwarranted and warned that the Force will no longer tolerate any attack on its personnel or any member of the law enforcement community by any individual or group protesting under any guise.
In the statement with Ref No. CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.3/24, the Inspector General noted that protest by citizens remain a legitimate means for airing their concerns and views. It must however be carried out with all sense of responsibility and within the confines of the law.
The IGP also condoled the family and friends of the late Corporal Etaga Stanley, stating that he paid the supreme price in the service, and equally commended the officers of the Delta State Police Command for exercising restraint in the face of the immoral and unjustified provocation
Meanwhile, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police, Delta State to “carry out a discrete investigation into the unfortunate incident, root-out the perpetrators and bring the killer protesters to book.”
It can be recalled that a nationwide protest against Police brutality with #EndSARS began on Thursday.
