Sunday, 4th August 2024
To guardian.ng
Search
Breaking News:

Protest: Jigawa Police arrest 212, charge 74 to court

By Mohammed Suleiman
04 August 2024   |   11:31 am
The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested 212 people at the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest, alleged to be hoodlums, and also charged 74 to court. The police also recovered looted properties from them. This was revealed by the Commissioner of Police, AS Abdullahi, while addressing a press conference at the Command's Headquarters in Dutse at the…

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested 212 people at the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest, alleged to be hoodlums, and also charged 74 to court.

The police also recovered looted properties from them.

This was revealed by the Commissioner of Police, AS Abdullahi, while addressing a press conference at the Command’s Headquarters in Dutse at the weekend.

He said the police, in conjunction with sister security agencies in the state, also recovered 50 motorcycles, 50 tricycles, 12 bicycles, and nine chairs.

Abdullahi said, “Other items recovered include 303 bags of fertilisers, 54 cartons of mosquito nets, two bags of rice, and office furniture. You may recall that in anticipation of the planned protest, a series of proactive measures were taken to prevent violence and protect lives and properties. These measures include intelligence gathering and surveillance, deployment of additional security personnel to potential hotspots, and engagement with critical stakeholders such as pressure groups, hoteliers, council of Ulamas, youth groups, CLOs, members of ACMORAN, NURTW, etc.”

He admitted that hijackers will always see the peaceful protest as an avenue to carry out their unscrupulous agenda, despite all warnings.

“Despite taking all necessary measures to avert unforeseen circumstances, on the first day of the protest, some unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements who were bent on destabilising the polity, decided to use and engage teenagers, leading to violence and destruction of public properties, especially at palliative stores Yalwawa, Shuwarin, and Government House in Dutse metropolis.

“The teenagers have shown unruly behaviour, refusing to listen to our appeals. They have ignored warnings and pleas to desist from violence, instead choosing to engage in destructive behaviour.

READ ALSO: Jigawa Police nab nine suspected armed robbers, kidnappers

“Their actions have resulted in widespread destruction of government properties and disruption of economic activities,” he said.

 

Abdullahi maintained that when all appeals failed, the security agencies were left with no option other than to use minimum force to disperse the violent protesters.

However, the violent protest spread to some local government areas such as Hadejia, Birnin-Kudu, Gumel, Kazaure, and Babura LGAs.

He added, “Based on the security advice and wider consultation with heads of security agencies, a 24-hour curfew has been enforced by the state government across the state with a view to curtail the spread of violence and also ensure the protection of lives and properties of the law-abiding citizens in the state.”

According to him, the curfew is a necessary measure to restore peace and stability and allow the security agencies to contain the situation and prevent further destruction.

Furthermore, it is gratifying to observe that there is substantial compliance with the curfew by members of the public across the state.

He warned that anyone or group of persons found engaging in activities likely to disrupt the peace in the state will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Meanwhile, the State Joint Security Committee has completely lifted the curfew in the 19 LGAs where there was no report of any violence during the protest. Similarly, the committee has also commended the good people of the 19 LGAs for showing patriotism and respect for the constituted authorities. Also, the committee praised the dedication and commitment of the people of Giwa LGAs for cooperating with security agencies and supporting the confiscation of the looted properties from the hoodlums.

His Excellency, Malam Umar Namadi FCA, thanked the good people of Jigawa State for their patience and understanding throughout the trial period.

The governor also appeals for support and prayers for peace and stability in the state and Nigeria at large, while thanking the security agencies in the state for their professionalism, commitments, and dedication throughout the period under review.

In this article

0 Comments