EndSARS: Police IG talks tough, orders officers to treat protesters like eggs
The embattled Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has finally warned his men against attacking EndSARS protesters.
Adamu gave the charge on Thursday hours after lawmakers summoned him over his handling of protesters.
The demonstrators, who are demanding an end to police brutality, were, before now, attacked by armed police officers. Many of them were teargassed and water-cannoned. Some were killed with the police only announcing nameless arrests but failing to publicly identify their alleged murderers.
In Ogbomoso, an armed officer killed Jimoh Isiaq, 20. Officers also allegedly killed several other protesters at a palace in the area and tagged them “thugs”.
EndSARS protests in pictures
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In Surulere area of Lagos, seemingly power-drunk officers opened fire on peaceful protesters killing one bystander and injuring several other protesters. The police, according to reports, also arrested innocent demonstrators whom the falsely accused of shooting an officer who was actually hit by a “stray” police bullet.
Abuja protesters were teargassed, shot at and attacked (in a country where the fire service usually runs out of water) with water cannon.
In Ogun, the police allegedly framed three demonstrators for murder. The protesters were released after the governor, under pressure from the relentless protest, intervened.
All the police violence must now stop (hopefully), the IG, whose job is now at stake, said. Police officers must treat protesters like the “apple of God’s eye”.
