The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has ordered the immediate deployment of additional operational assets to complement the efforts of personnel attached to ‘Operation Restore Peace’ in the South East. The IGP condemned the “recent spate of attacks on police officers, facilities and other police operational assets around the nation, particularly in the southeast” and such “unwarranted attacks would be strictly treated in accordance with extant laws.”
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The statement reiterated “the commitment of the Force to protect lives and property while stressing that it is vital to respect the lives and fundamental rights of police officers and other security operatives to enable them to advance their sacred mandate of serving and protecting the citizens better”.
The statement further said that police personnel's lives are “sacrosanct” and attacks on police officers would no longer be acceptable.
Several police officers have been killed and stations attacked by armed assailants hiding under the guise of aggrieved citizens clamoring for the Biafra Republic in the region.
Other security agencies have also been killed and their formations attacked and destroyed by armed assailants.
The Federal Government has blamed the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for being the masterminds behind such attacks but the group has continuously denied any involvement.
The leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kani is currently facing trial for treason and terrorism.