The Inspector-General of Police, (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris, said 128 policemen had lost their lives to activities of criminals in various parts of the country in the past three months.
Idris said this in a statement issued by the Force Spokesman Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Don Awunah, in Abuja on Wednesday.
“In the past three months, the Force has lost 128 personnel in various parts of the country due to activities of undesirable elements in our communities.
“These line of duty resultant deaths, occasioned by unwarranted attacks by religious bigots, bandits, hoodlums and militants must be reversed and the trend halted,”he said.
Awunah said also disturbing was the wanton destruction of Police infrastructure and public assets
“The recent cases in Dankamoji village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara, Abagana in Anambra, and in Okrika waterways in Rivers where personnel were killed, arms carted away, structures and equipment destroyed are cases in point,”he said.
He said that the I-G regretted the loss of these personnel in the course of their national duty and condoled with their families.
The police spokesman said Idris assured them of the Force’s support to cushion the effects of this irreparable loss.
“The I-G urges the officers not to relent or be distracted in our collective will to serve this country, the costly challenges notwithstanding.
He advised Nigerians to continue to render the police the desired support and assistance to enable them to provide adequate security to Nigerians.
NAN