DIG Cautions Policemen On Use Of Arms At Rallies

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge operations, Alhaji Audu Abubakar, has urged policemen to be extra cautious on the use of firearms at public rallies.

Speaking to newsmen in Yola on Sunday, Abubakar said the role of the police was to provide security to everyone including protesters as far as those protestests were within the confines of the law.

Abubalkar, who was in Yola to assess security situation and monitor protests against the removal of fuel subsidy, said so far the protests in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe had been peaceful.

“The main reason why we are in Yola is because we want to talk to our officers and men to ensure that they exercise extreme caution in handling the situation because this is a democratic dispensation and therefore whatever we are doing particularly policing should be democratic.

“The mission of the police is to provide security to protesters and those who are not taking part in the protest.

“On no account should they use firearms against protesters or those who choose not to protest against the removal of fuel subsidy”, Abubakar warned.

The DIG said he was impressed with the performance of the police in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states and urged the public to give them more support and cooperation to do better.