The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has assured #EndSARS protesters that the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force would punish officers found guilty of any act of brutality against members of the public.

He also warned police officers all over the country to desist from harassing protesters calling for a total overhaul of the Force.

Adamu disclosed this on Thursday in a notice titled, ‘IGP Warns Police Officers Against Use Of Force On Peaceful Protesters’.

The statement read, “The IGP has warned police officers against the use of force on peaceful protesters.

“He reiterates that citizens have fundamental rights of freedom of expression, assembly and movement and these must always be upheld and protected by the police.

“He appeals to protesters to continually conduct themselves peacefully and guide their ranks against infiltrations by criminal elements.

“The IGP stresses that the Force leadership has heard the voice of the people clearly and is irrevocably committed to doing everything possible to address the observed ills, punish the offending officers and enthrone a people-friendly police force.”

The protesters have been demonstrating for over a week, demanding an end to extrajudicial killings by men of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

However, the protests have intensified despite the disbanding of the police unit and the announcement of the Special Weapons and Tactics to replace the defunct unit.

The protests, which have been held in major cities across the country, have caused heavy traffic and affected economic activities.

By Kayode Oyero