TheCable

Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), says in the last three months, 128 police officers have been killed by militants and religious “bigots”.

In a statement issued by Don Awunah, police spokesman, on Wednesday, the IG “described as deeply worrisome the rate at which officers and men lose their lives in the course of discharging their statutory duties”.

“These line of duty resultant deaths, occasioned by unwarranted attacks by religious bigot, bandits, hoodlums and militants must be reversed and the trend halted,” he said.
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“In the past three months, the force has 128 personnel in various parts of the country due to activities of these undesirable elements in our communities. Also disturbing is the wanton destruction of police infrastructure and public assets. The recent cases in Dankamoji village in Maradu LGA of Zamfara state, Abagana in Anambra state and in Okrika waterways in Rivers state where personnel were killed, arms carted away, structures and equipment destroyed are cases in point.”

Idris said he regretted “the loss of these personnel in the course of their national duty”, and he assured their families that the police will support them “to cushion the effect of this irreparable loss.”

“Their departure will certainly not be in vain,” he said.

He urged officers not to relent or be distracted in our collective will to serve this country, the costly challenges notwithstanding.

“The law abiding citizens are equally advised to continue to render the police the desired support and assistance,” the IG added.‎