You’ll be treated like armed robber if caught — Police warn protesters

The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has sent message of warning to protesters who were attacking commercial banks, reaffirming that they would be treated as armed robbers if they are caught.

The Informant247 observes that there have been series of demonstrations and attacks against facilities of commercial banks across the country over the scarcity of new naira notes.

While reacting to the attacks on commercial banks, the spokesperson of the force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi sent message of warning to the people of the country to stay calm, reaffirming that defaulters would be made to face the law.

He said the commercial banks would only be able to serve the people well only if their facilities are in good condition.

Adejobi reaffirmed that it’s unlawful to launch attack on the facilities of banks, saying it’s not different from armed robbery.

“We complain banks don’t attend to us yet we go to their facilities and set them ablaze, destroy ATMs. How do you want them to serve you better if you have destroyed their facilities?” he said in a recorded video posted on the NPF’s Facebook page Friday.

“I think we need to educate ourselves on what the law says about this. You don’t go to any bank, ATM, or financial institution to attack. It is criminal and tantamount to armed robbery. If you are caught in the act, you will be treated as an armed robber.

“Even the ATM, as small as that machine is, has certain protections from the security agencies, particularly the police. It is an infrastructure that you don’t attack. If you do that, it is presumed that it is actually going there to rob,” Adejobi warned.

He said the people should desist from attacking police officers, as the Force was ready to use the “minimum force” on people.

The spokesperson appealed to the people of the country to be responsible when staging their protests.

“A protest must be coordinated. We can be civil and do it better,” he added.