During Thursday’s nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, a policeman was slain while on duty, according to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.
During an Abuja briefing, the head of police reported that thugs posing as demonstrators had also hurt some of his officers.
According to Egbetokun, protesters on the rampage destroyed several police stations across the nation. He bemoaned the fact that there were “mass uprising and looting, not protests” during Thursday’s activities in major cities.
“Police stations have been destroyed. There have been attempts to take over government houses,” Egbetokun said, adding that looting of public and private warehouses and facilities was widespread.
“In places like FCT, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, among others, we recorded incidents of unprovoked attacks on our security personnel where one policeman has been reported murdered and others seriously injured.
“In light of the current situation, the Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on red alert. Our officers are fully mobilised and prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to public safety and order,” the IGP said.