The Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu begins a tour of various police commands especially the ones affected by the #EndSARS protest to ascertain the level of vandalism
The IGP is expected to encourage the officers and men of the Command whose commitment to protect lives might have been dampened by the #EndSARs incidences of razing police stations, killing of Police Officers and burning of vehicles including armored carriers.
Reports from some states of the Federation revealed the absence of police in major roads and streets
In Lagos, Policemen are said to be off the streets even as the governor of the state, Sanwo-olu boosted their morale of supporting men of the force injured and giving scholarship to children of deceased.
In Abuja, the report is the same as some of the hot spots known for police search around the Apo area to Garki old and ultra modern market to Wuse 2 and along Nyanya,Karu, Masaka are free of policemen.
Current matters had an interview with the DPO in charge of a station about the general mood of the police in view of the large scale destruction of police facilities and deaths of members of the force.
The DPO, who pleaded anonymity said although they are saddened by what happened to them,they will not relent in their service to their fatherland since that was what they signed for.
He however said the federal government has not been fair to the police regarding their accomodation and general welfare.
“Most police officers live outside the barracks and you know it is very expensive renting a house and then you take care of your family, you pay school fees .We buy our uniforms by ourselves,
Asked why he was not given accomodation in the barracks,he said
” Have you been to police barracks before” the barracks have many issues, the population living in the barracks is too much and it isn’t enough to accommodate everyone . Policemen are suffering” he said.
Another police officer,an Inspector, named Abdul
from another station said” Every policeman is afraid of what happened a week ago that is why you cannot see any of us on the road
‘ Our problems are made worse as we live in rented homes making us expose ourselves and our families to danger.
” I can only afford a self contained apartment in Masaka because that is what I can afford. If Nigerians don’t trust us what are we going to do? ” he said.
The absence of policemen was also noticed in Port Harcourt .A retired civil servant who lived around Elelenwo area said “Army has taken over the major routes and passerbys are made to raise their hands up before they are allowed to pass.
According to him,”We have not seen any policeman for the past one week .Its like they are protesting.but Army has taken over . For me to pass through there to come to town.i had to raise my hand up.
Another resident who spoke with current matters said ” no police presence on the streets for sometime now,even traffic police are out of the streets.
He however said that the Army are now in charge of trouble spots such as Oyigbo, Elelenwo, and Diobu area of Port Harcourt.
