COVID-19 ENFORCEMENT DUTY: IGP Condemns attack on Police Officers in Oyo
**commends Officer for his Uncommon Restraint
** Warns against unprovoked attack on police personnel
The
Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has commended the
DCO II, Eruwa Police Division, ASP Adeyemo Ogunyemi, for his uncommon
restraint and professionalism in the face of unprovoked attack as shown
in a viral video where a woman identified as Kehinde Afolake was seen
assaulting him unchallenged and without retaliation, while he was
carrying out the CoVID-19 enforcement duties at Gbolagunte, Okeola area
of Eruwa, Ibarapa, Oyo State on 1st May, 2020. The officer, like a lamb
being led to the slaughter, did not fight back but rather, maintained
absolute calm, patience and decorum even as the woman roughhandled him
and slapped him severally.
The said woman also
assaulted two female police officers, Inspr. Ojola Abiola and Inspr.
Queen Eguaoje and gave one of them human bite on Saturday, 2nd May, 2020
during an attempt to invite her to the Police Station for the earlier
incident of serious assault on the DCO. The Ewura incident thus is a
classic example of unprovoked, unwarranted and unnecessary attacks faced
by police officers in the course of performing their legitimate duties.
The IGP therefore warns that this trend will no longer be tolerated by
the Force.
The IGP notes that since the
commencement of the COVID-19 enforcement duties, a total of 27 police
personnel have suffered series of attacks and assaults from members of
the public at different times and different locations. Many of these
officers, he reiterates are still in hospitals receiving treatment from
the injuries sustained during such attacks. These include a female
police officer, PC Ngozi Nkem, in Agbor, Delta State who was seriously
assaulted when a police team was dispersing a group of persons holding a
birthday party in clear disobedience to the social restrictions and
distancing orders. Apart from the attack on the person of police
officers, some of these citizens have equally carried out attacks on
police assets and facilities. For example, two (2) police stations and
police quarters were attacked and burnt down in Katsina and Abia States
while fifteen (15) police vehicles/motorcycles were also damaged.
Meanwhile,
the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police, Oyo Command to carry
out a discreet investigation into the Ewura attack on the police officer
and ensure that justice is done.
The IGP
enjoins the citizens to continue to cooperate with the police and other
security personnel and voluntarily comply with all COVID-19 prevention
orders. He reiterates that the Force shall continue to hold officers
accountable and mete out commensurate punishments on any personnel who
violates the rights of the citizens. He however warns against any
unprovoked attack and assault on police officers while in the course of
their duties as perpetrators will be made to face the full wrath of the
law.
DCP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA
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