The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammad Abubakar Adamu on Thursday enjoined police officers not to allow the recent End SARS protests discourage them.
Adamu made this disclosure while addressing journalists at the Headquarters of Oyo State Police Command in Eleyele in Ibadan.
Adamu while addressing the officers, urged them to be civil in their dealings with members of the public in the course of carrying out their constitutional duties.
He said that his visit to Oyo State is a One – Day Post End SARS working and Operational visitation tour to the state force Headquarters.
He said that the End SARS protests started as a peaceful protest by Nigerians who gave five (5) conditions.
He added that Police gave the aggrieved citizens maximum protection and security before the protest was hijacked by hoodlums.
“We are here in respect to what happened as a result of EndSARS protest, it started as Fake News in Ugheli, Delta State after police on patrol accosted 2 people who parked their vehicle in a suspicious manner.
“One of them fell from the car and slumped while a passerby recorded the video claiming the police killed someone in Ughelli and it spread across the country.
“The request to EndSARS started since 2015, although it is an inevitable section, past administration reformed but we have dissolved it.
“Protesters refuse to leave the street after the conditions have been met because their sponsors are not satisfied with their aims.”
Adamu further advised officers to go about their lawful duties with courage and civil approach to the entire Nigerians.
He maintained that carrying arms is not for decoration or to kill but to protect and refrain further acts of criminality except there is a substantial need.
He also noted that the government has promised to compensate policemen who lost their lives during the protest and their families.