The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has confirmed the deaths of four individuals in Borno State during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests.
Addressing a news conference in Abuja on August 2nd, 2024, Egbetokun emphasized the importance of peaceful conduct among protesters while acknowledging the constitutional rights of citizens to assemble and express their views.
Despite these assurances, he lamented that events in major cities on Thursday were characterized by "mass uprising and looting, not protests."
Egbetokun detailed how hoodlums infiltrated the protests, leading to widespread looting and destruction of properties. He noted that some police stations were razed by rioters, and the police force has been placed on red alert nationwide to curtail further violence.
The police are prepared to respond appropriately to the unfolding situation, with potential assistance from other security agencies, including the military.
In his address, Egbetokun highlighted the professional conduct of the police in providing security at strategic locations to ensure peaceful protests.
However, he expressed concern over the actions of certain individuals who have shown tendencies to be disloyal to the government, thereby posing dangers through their agitation.
The protests, which began on August 1st, 2024, have seen massive violence and unrest across various states, including Kano, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT Abuja, Niger, and Jigawa.
In Borno, an explosion within the crowd of protesters resulted in the immediate death of four individuals and severe injuries to 34 others. The police have advised law-abiding citizens to heed warnings issued by security agencies based on credible intelligence.
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