By Augustine Ehikioya
Concerned by attacks on Police Officers, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has strongly condemned the recent trend of assault on Police Officers and men in uniform, carrying out their official and lawful duties across the country.
He also directed prosecution of all assault cases in the country.
The Police Boss gave the new directive in a statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
The IGP, according to the statement, emphasized that attacks on Police Officers, who are uniformed agents of the State, is both illegal and an affront on the rule of law.
The IGP warned that “attacks on Police Officers and men in the line of duty would no longer be tolerated under whatever guise, as the Force holds the lives of its personnel sacrosanct.
“Consequently, the IGP has directed all Police Commands and Formations to ensure that individuals who engage in assault on Police Officers, irrespective of preceding factors, are made to face the full wrath of the law via swift prosecution in courts of competent jurisdiction.”
The Inspector-General of Police also reiterated the commitment of the Force to ensuring protection of lives and property.
He harped on the importance of according respect to the fundamental rights of Police Officers and other security operatives, in order to “enable them advance their sacred mandate of serving and protecting the citizens better and maintenance of law and order.”