With the nationwide #EndBadGovernance and hunger protest entering its third day, the Jigawa State Police Command on Saturday announced the arrest of 212 people suspected of being involved in destroying and looting public properties across the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, A.T. Abdullahi, who briefed the media on the security situation as well as measures so far taken to maintain law and order, revealed that out of the arrested persons, 74 of them have already been charged to court on alleged destruction of properties and breach of public peace.
CP Abdullahi explained to journalists; “Though the protesters did not seek any permission from the security, we deem it necessary to give them protection but instead for the protesters to go peacefully, unfortunately, they turned violent attacking public places including Dutse Government House.
“As the protest turned violent in about seven local government areas of the state, the situation forced police to use minimum force to disperse the protesters to maintain law and order.
“The combined effort of security agencies and the 24-hour curfew imposed by the state governor has contributed to the return of peace and order today in almost all over the state”.
On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner of Information, Youth Sport and Culture, Hon. Sagir Musa, while fielding questions from the media on the current developments in the State, said the government was collaborating with security agencies to address the developments.
According to him, after due consultation, the state government would consider relaxing the curfew, even as of Saturday evening, the 24-hour curfew was still in place.
At the time of reporting, the protesters had vacated the streets, except in Kazaure local government where some youths attempted to continue the protest but were dispersed by security forces.
