President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered Usman Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, to direct police officers to enforce his shoot-on-sight on persons attacking police stations across the country.
President Buhari stated this at the handing over of security equipment by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, to the police command in the state on Thursday.
In recent weeks, police stations and officers have come under attack, especially in the South-East region.
The president had in March directed all security agencies to shoot any individual who is not authorised to wield an AK-47 or any military-grade weapon.
Speaking at the event in Lagos on Thursday, the president reiterated that his order still remains in place, adding that his responsibility as commander-in-chief is to ensure the lives and properties of Nigerians are secured.
He said: “I have charged the inspector-general to leave no stone unturned in rebuilding the morale of his officers and men, especially in the aftermath of the mindless violence associated with the EndSARS protests, as well as the recent spate of attacks on police stations in some parts of the country.
“A nation that turns its Police personnel and infrastructure into targets of violence and destruction is a nation on the path of self-destruction. We will act firmly and decisively against any and all persons fomenting or carrying out attacks on our Police Force and other security personnel.
“Let me also use this opportunity to reiterate that my directive to security agencies, to shoot any person or persons found illegally wielding AK-47s and other assault weapons, remains in place.
