By Kingsley Omonobi

Abuja—THE Inspector-General of Police, IG, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, yesterday, said no fewer than 128 policemen lost their lives to activities of criminals in various parts of the country in the past three months.

He said they were killed in the line of duty by religious bigots, bandits, hoodlums and militants, warning that the trend must be reversed and halted.

The IG cited the cases of Dankamoji village in Zamfara State, Abagana in Anambra State and Okirika in Rivers State where scores of policemen were killed and arms carted away, structures and equipment destroyed, saying such attacks would no longer be condoned.

Describing the trend as “deeply worrisome,” the police boss said: “The rate at which officers and men lose their lives in the course of discharging their statutory duties is no longer tolerable.”

In a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Don Awunah, Idris said: “These deaths occasioned by unwarranted attacks by religious bigots, bandits, hoodlums and militants must be reversed and the trend halted.

“In the past three months, the Force has lost 128 personnel in various parts of the country due to activities of these undesirable elements in our communities. Also disturbing is the wanton destruction of police infrastructure and public assets.

“The recent cases in Dankamoji village in Maradu council of Zamfara State; Abagana in Anambra State and in Okrika waterways in Rivers State, where personnel were killed, arms carted away, structures and equipment destroyed, are cases in point.”

The police boss further urged officers not to relent or be distracted in the collective will of the police to serve the country, the costly challenges notwithstanding.