Many policemen still in hospital after attacks while on COVID-19 enforcement duties —IGP

The Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force, Mohammed Adamu, has informed that no fewer than 27 policemen were attacked by members of the public while they were on COVID-19 enforcement duties.

The IGP who made this known in a statement condemning the assault on police officers, who were carrying out their COVID-19 enforcement duties in Oyo State on Monday, stated that many of these officers were still in hospital receiving treatment from the injuries sustained during such attacks.

In a statement issued on his behalf by the Force spokesman DCP Frank Mba, and made available to reporters on Sunday, the IGP also commended the police officers in Oyo for their restraint and professionalism in the face of unprovoked attacks by a woman.

READ ALSO: Contradicting Kano govt, Presidential Technical Team confirms mass deaths in Kano caused by COVID-19

The statement read thus in detail; “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 rough handled him and slapped him severally.

“The said woman also assaulted two female police officers, Inspector Ojola Abiola and Inspector 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 has directed the Commissioner of Police, Oyo Command to carry out a discreet investigation into the Ewura attack on the police officers and ensure that justice is done,” the statement added.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now