As protests by Nigerians to end police brutality and improve standard of living for the operatives for effective duty performance eventually turns bloody with tens of police officers killed in the process. Nigerian police personnels seems to have become endangered species vulnerable to attack by same populace they are made to protect.
With a large number of police officers still away from duty in what looks like negative effect of the just concluded EndSARS violence, armed robbers have reportedly taken over some major roads and highways.
According to reports, the popular Benin-Auchi expressway has been cordoned off by armed men wading dangerous weapons and robbing drivers and passengers of their belongings.
One of the victims recounted that the criminal elements robbed those who could not escape around Obagie-Okhuo community for over three hours without any resistance.
People coming from banks are also reportedly targeted by the armed men who continue to take advantage of the officers' absence to perpetrate evils.
Another negative effect of police absence irrespective of their noted vices is the uncensored running of road activities by street urchins. Spots where they were tamed previously by police activities are now becoming dangerous for both drivers and commutters alike. They almost forcefully impose themselves on people trekking to get money and valuables from them if care is not taken in most places. Even where policemen were sighted around they seems not having the usual zeal to pursue crime as before.
Another driver said:
“We are all afraid of using the road these days because we don’t know when the armed robbers will strike,
“And any time one goes to Auchi or Ekpoma from Benin and come back safely without armed robbery attack, you will have to thank God."
It would be recalled that police officers have continued to shun duties following an assault on their colleagues and police stations during the EndSARS demonstration.
Mohammed Adamu, the inspector general of police had said 22 police personnel were killed across the country during the protests which also left many properties of government and private individuals vandalised.
This is as Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday, October 28, directed the Lagos State Scholarship Board to award scholarships to their children up to the university level.
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