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How fake news caused #ENDSARS violence in Nigeria – IGP

IGP commends MPF of unusual gallantry as it foils attack on personnel

How fake news caused #ENDSARS violence in Nigeria - IGP

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Thursday said the violence that trailed the #EndSARS protest across Nigeria was caused by fake news.

The IGP disclosed this when he addressed police officers at the headquarters of Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan, during his one-day tour inspection of the state. Adamu, who was received by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nwachukwu Enwonwu, was accompanied by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Research and Planning, Adeleye Oyebade, who is the Coordinating DIG for the South West.

Adamu, who said he was in the state based on what happened as a result of #EndSARS protests, noted that by now, people “should be aware that #EndSARS protest started as fake news, and that the fake news spread all over the country, and it resulted in the protest. The fake news came out of Delta State and from Ughelli specifically, when a local security outfit, called Operation Delta Safe, comprising the military and other security agencies, just like Oyo Operation Burst, was on routine patrol.

He explained that the security outfit accosted two people that parked their vehicles in a suspicious manner, in a place that is prone to kidnapping. He added that all of a sudden, one of the occupants of the vehicles got out and fell down. He stated further that “A passerby just filmed it, processed it and uploaded it into the social media, and said SARS in Ughelli had killed somebody.

“The next day, people in Ughelli started protesting. Then, Lagos picked it and it went boom all over the country as a result of fake news. SARS was never involved. The person they were talking about never died. He is still alive. He has made even a public statement. And the person that did the video and posted it has apologized and he has been charged to court. That is the effect of fake news.”

On the purpose of his visit, Adamu, who stated that the Nigeria Police Force is currently undergoing reforms in all segments, said: “My being here today is to tell you that every Nigerian, in our constitution, has fundamental rights. Police officers also have rights as human beings. Therefore, you must protect your rights. Nobody should trample upon your rights and go free in as much as we too will protect the rights of Nigerians. You are not supposed to be demoralized.

“Constitutionally, you have duties to perform in this country, which is to protect lives and property and fight crime. Therefore, no amount of insults, no amount of attacks, will prevent you from performing your constitutional duties. We encourage you to go out there and perform your duties in the way you were trained to do it and you must follow the protocol of doing it, and be civil to members of the society.

“In the cause of doing your job, be courageous and in the cause of doing the job, if anything happens, we shall stand behind you. But never shy away from performing duties. If you shy away from performing your duties, it means the whole society will be in trouble. It means the criminals will come out and have a field day.

“You’re licensed to carry arms. The carrying of arms is not for correction. It should protect lives and property and protect Nigerians. Therefore, it is necessary to use it the way you should use it. And while using it, you must remember the condition under which you can use the firearms. When there is a violent riot, you can use your firearms. You can use your firearms when people are running away from legal custody. In the protection of public assets, you can use your firearms.

“When your life is in danger and there are no other means, you should defend yourself, you can use your firearms. But you are not supposed to kill. You are supposed to use your firearms to maim so that you can restrain the person from causing more arms, but not to kill.”

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