LAGOS, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Mohammed Adamu, Nigeria's police chief, has deployed special troops nationwide to tackle activities of hoodlums unleashing mayhem following the degeneration of the anti-police-brutality protests.
The immediate deployment of anti-riot operatives is to protect lives and property as well as secure critical national infrastructure across the country, said Frank Mba, national police spokesperson in a statement reaching Xinhua on Tuesday.
He said the police chief also ordered massive deployment of police operatives to strengthen the security around Correctional facilities nationwide.
The orders are coming on the heels of increasing attacks including acts of arson and malicious damage to public and private facilities as recorded in some states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The police spokesperson added that states police chiefs are to identify and isolate law-breakers from peaceful protesters; immediately arrest and diligently prosecute such perpetrators of violence in their respective police commands.
According to him, 12 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attacks and arson on police stations in southern Benin, Edo State.
He added that five AK47 rifles earlier stolen from vandalized police stations have also been recovered. Enditem
