The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Friday gave the police rank and file the nod to protect themselves henceforth if they are attacked.
Adamu, who spoke in Abuja against the background of the attacks on police personnel during the recent #ENDSARS protests, said 22 of his men were killed during the mayhem unleashed by hoodlums and looters who hijacked the rallies.
Many others were wounded with some in life threatening conditions in hospitals, he said at the start of an assessment tour of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Abuja.
He said 205 police stations across the country were also set ablaze.
In Rivers State alone, members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) killed six soldiers and four policemen under the guise of the recent #ENDSARS protest in the state, according to Governor Nyesom Wike.
The IG’s tour is part of the effort of the police authorities to boost the morale of the police which is believed to have been deflated by the violence and destruction that trailed the #ENDSARS protests.
Adamu said no amount of insults and provocation would make the police abandon their responsibilities of protecting lives and property.
The IGP said policemen are also human and have a right to life and should protect themselves if they find themselves in any dangerous situation that threatens their lives.
He lauded them for what he called their professionalism and efforts to protect lives and property as well as maintain law and order during the #ENDSARS protests.
He pledged that adequate compensation would be made available to the families of all policemen that lost their lives during the protests.
“The unity of this country lies in the support that is given to police officers, because if you are demoralised, the tendency is for criminals to take over the public space, and the country is relying on us to make sure that the public space is not taken over by criminals.
“So, no amount of provocation, no amount of insult would make us shy away from our responsibilities,” he said.
Continuing, he said: “I saw how you went to deal with the difficult situation in order to maintain peace and order. This happened because of the #ENDSARS protest, which was supposed to be peaceful but turned violent.
“Despite all the attacks by protesters, you went about to protect them. It became dangerous even for police officers. Individuals were attacked and vehicles and property destroyed.
“I thank you for showing restraint. You acted professionally. The aim was to demoralise you, but you were exceptional.
“For those that lost their lives all over the country during the #ENDSARS protests, they will not die in vain. There will be adequate compensation for them in an extensive manner. They served the country at the expense of their lives.
“If anyone assaults you, you can protect yourselves. When we talk of human rights, the police are human. Their lives should also be protected. We are sending the message that legally, we have the right to protect ourselves.
“When we talk of human rights, the police are human, so the rights of police officers would also be protected.
“So, we are sending the message that legally, we have the right to protect ourselves, but while we are doing that, we make sure that until we are endangered.
“Inasmuch as we are aware that the government is behind us, we would encourage you to keep performing your duties. We would encourage you to be professional, to be civic.
“But if anybody touches you, if anybody comes to assault you, you can also protect yourself.”
He said the police would soon make public the package they have for officers that lost their lives during the protests.