The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has accused Nigerians of staging a mass uprising, and not protest as said, News About Nigeria reports.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed this while speaking at the Force Headquarters on Thursday.
He noted that the killings, destruction and lootings that trailed the nationwide protest on Thursday, is an evidence, adding that the conveners and protesters failed to follow the guidelines provided by the police to prevent the hijacking of the protest.
He stated that the motive of the rioters was to loot and destroy both private and government property, and lamented that Police stations have been destroyed, including attempts to take over government houses, looting of government infrastructures, among others.
He further stated that organisers of the protest disobeyed various orders, including orders to hold the protests at confined locations, and maintained that this would have enabled the police to provide adequate protection for the protesters and isolate the criminals whose intention was to loot and destroy in the name of a protest.
“Those who were at the forefront of promoting the idea of the protest were not around to lead it. Instead, hoodlums were let loose on innocent Nigerians and their hard-earned businesses and property.
“The motive of the rioters was basically two; loot and destroy both private and government property. The destruction so far has been mind-boggling.
“There has been destruction in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT Abuja, Niger, and Jigawa.
“Police stations have been destroyed; there have been attempts to take over government houses; looting of government infrastructure; several warehouses and shops have been so far looted and, in several instances, completely destroyed.
“In spite of the refusal of the protesters for instance, in FCT to adhere to a court order requesting that protests in Abuja should be at the National Stadium, they instead trooped into the streets, and yet the police provided security for them.
“At no point did we breach their fundamental rights, even as they breached a court order. In places like FCT, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe, among others, we recorded incidents of unprovoked attacks on security personnel, where one policeman was reported dead and others seriously injured.
“In places where there were court orders, we gave instructions for observance of the same. Regrettably, events in some major cities today showed that what was being instigated was mass uprising and looting, not protest,” he stated.
He, therefore, urged all citizens to remain calm and cooperate with the police and other security agencies during this challenging period and assured the people that the police would continue to take all necessary measures to ensure continued peace and stability in the country.
