AIG: #EndSARS created a vacuum — police want close relationship with Nigerians

Olasupo Ajani, the assistant inspector-general of police (AIG) in charge of zone 11, has called on Nigerians to cooperate with security operatives. 

According to NAN, Ajani stated this during a meeting with stakeholders when he paid a familiarisation visit to the police command headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo state.

The AIG said Nigerians were working peacefully with the police until the #EndSARS protest, which he said created some kind of vacuum.

Nigerians had taken to the streets in October 2020 to demonstrate against police brutality under the #EndSARS campaign.

The protest led to the disbandment of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) and the setup of judicial panels across the country.

The protests were, however, hijacked by hoodlums, who razed police stations and other government buildings, and also attacked security operatives.

Ajani, who called on stakeholders to sensitise people so that respect and cooperation can be re-established, warned officers against corrupt practices.

“You stakeholders that are here as representatives of the people, please sensitise your people and let us go back to the way we were before the #EndSARS protests,” he said.

“EndSARS has created a sort of vacuum, and we want to reclaim the space again and be closer to the people. Any police that want to be successful must have the support of the people.

“We must cooperate and work together for peace to reign in this country.”

The AIG’s appeal comes after two separate videos of civilians assaulting police officers went viral on social media.

In the first video, two police officers attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) were assaulted by a man who was stopped for driving against traffic in Lagos.

In the second video, a truck driver in Lagos was seen smashing a bottle on a policeman’s head.

Speaking further, Ajani warned members of the police community relations committee (PCRC) against conniving with officers to extort money from residents.

He said all hands must be on deck to achieve peaceful coexistence in the country and stamp out criminality in the state.

The AIG also called on youths to shun drug abuse and respect the rule of law.