Outrage !!!: As DPO, Community Taskforce Apprehend 5 Diehard Hoodlums, Who Again Attacked Igando Police Officers On Duty, Threatening To Kill Operatives

Anger and criticism have continued to trail the alleged attack and death threat against Police officers attached to the recently burnt Igando Police Division last Friday, November 6th, 2020. The said attack is coming three days after some police officers attached to the burnt Igando Police Division, heeded to the Inspector – General Police, IGP directive, urging them back to duty. Our Findings revealed that some suspected unrepentant hoodlums and criminal elements at igando, Lagos State, yet again attacked police operatives despatched to control the chaotic traffic bedeviling the area.

Eye witnesses who condemned the act, reported that the hoodlums who appeared surprised after seeing some police officers controlling traffic at the bus stop close to their burnt station, had moved swiftly to attack the operatives, threatening to kill them for daring to return to their duties. However, one of the eye witnesses, who identified himself as Mr. Longinus Ezeji, applauded that the rapid response and reinforcement led by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, CSP Taiwo Kasumu, in collaboration with the igando community taskforce, said to be supported by the Royal father, Oba of Igando, led to the arrest of 5 of the hoodlums.

As at the time of the arrest, large quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis (Indian hemp) , two locally made guns , charms and 5 machetes were said to have been recovered from them. Our Correspondent gathered that the apprehended suspected hoodlums are believed to be part of the gang that burnt down the police station during the hijacked #ENDSARS protests, as some of the vandalized police properties were said to have been recovered from their homes. It was also learnt that the suspects who were identified as; 20 years old Kelvin Johnson, Aderoju Theophilus, 20 years, Adeleke Bankole, 22 years, Adebayo Raimi, 22 years and Lateef Abdulmalik, 19 years old, had denied the allegation saying that they are bus conductors and vulganizers. They were said to have been initially taken to the new temporary Police Station, from where they were whisked away to the Area Commander, ACP Ifeanyi Ohuruzo’s office at Idimu.

However, further checks by our Correspondent, indicated that the suspects were subsequently brought to the Police headquarters, ikeja, on Saturday, from where they were taken to the State Criminal investigation Department, SCID,Panti, yaba, Lagos for detention and further investigation. Confirmation sought by our Correspondent from the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, was yet to be received as at the time of going to the press.

It would be recalled that the Igando Police Station, was one of the police divisions that was razed down by some hoodlums, who invaded the division, wounded five officers, including the DPO, CSP Kasumu and the station officer, Inspector Aminu Idako, before vandalizing and looting exhibits, other personal and police properties. Recall also that the Inspector – General Of Police, IGP Mohammad Adamu, had while in his recent tours of troubled areas that witnessed carnage, during the hijacked #ENDSARS protests, enjoined police personnel to defend themselves, if their lives were threatened, noting that police are human beings, protected by same human rights. He also warned that there was no room for violent protest nationwide again.

IGP Adamu had sounded a note of warning that the Police under his watch shall not tolerate any form of violent protest across the country forthwith. The IGP’s warning is coming on the heels of rumour making the rounds that some persons under the guise of #EndSARS were warming up for a second round of such protest. He had therefore, placed Commissioners of Police and their supervisory Assistant Inspector General nationwide to resist such planned protest in line with extant provision of the law. A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba and made available to News Planet International. Com, which conveyed the IGP’s order, said the Police and the entire country were yet to recover from the physical and psychological trauma occasioned by the almost two weeks of EndSARS protest.

The statement this: “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu has ordered the deployment of all legitimate force to protect lives and property of citizens including police officers and personnel of other law enforcement agencies and their families, and to prevent attacks on private/public assets from any violent person(s) or group(s) operating under any guise. The IGP restated that Command Commissioners of Police and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police should resist all riotous elements forthwith and checkmate any form of violent/riotous protests in line with Section 33 (1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which among other things provides for the use of such force as is reasonably necessary – (a) For the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property; (b) In order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained; or (c) For the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny. The IGP affirms that the Force will not tolerate a repeat of the horrendous attacks and killings, arson and wanton destruction, and looting of public and private assets witnessed during the recent violent protests in some parts of the country. He warns that the Force shall deploy the full weight of the law and legitimate force (if necessary) in preventing a reoccurrence.”

The statement added, “Recall that in the wake of the ENDSARS protests and the violence that emanated therefrom, a total of fifty-one (51) civilian fatalities and thirty-seven (37) civilian injuries were recorded, while a total of twenty-two (22) policemen were gruesomely murdered and twenty-six (26) others injured by the protesters. Two hundred and five (205) police stations, corporate facilities and private property were attacked, burnt or vandalized. The IGP assures law abiding citizens across the country of the Force’s renewed and unwavering commitment to their safety and security especially as we approach the yuletide. He calls for the collaboration and support of citizens in the ongoing reforms of the Force”