The police in Jigawa state have debunked rumored suspension of the 24-hour curfew imposed in the state following violence that erupted following the #EndBadGovernance protests.
WikkiTimes reports that the police have arrested 212 persons and charged 74 persons to court for being involved in looting and destruction of properties in the ongoing nationwide protests.
The State Commissioner of Police, A.T Abdullahi, told newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Dutse that 50 motorcycles, 3 tricycles, 12 bicycles and 303 bags of fertilizer were recovered from the arrested individuals among others.
He warned that any individual or group found engaging in activities that will disrupt the peace of the state will be dealt with accordingly.
“Let me use this medium on behalf of security Agencies in the state to call on anyone or group of persons found engaging in activities likely to disrupt the peace in the State to stop or will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law,” he said.
Abdullahi said there is substantial compliance with the curfew by members of the public across the state, noting that the curfew was imposed in order to curtail the spread of violence and also ensure protection of lives and properties.
According To him the police and other security agencies had, prior to the protests, engaged different stakeholders all in an attempt to ensure peace and violence-free protests.
“Despite these efforts, on day one of the protest, some unscrupulous and unpatriotic element who are bent on destabilizing the polity, decided to use and engage teenagers leading to violence and destruction of public properties especially at Palliative shops Yalwawa, Shuwarin and Government House in Dutse metropolitan”.
“The teenagers have shown unruly behavior, refusing to listen to our appeals. They have ignored warnings and pleas to desist from violence, instead choosing to engage in destructive behavior. Their actions have resulted in widespread destruction of government properties and disruption of economic activities”, he explained.
Abdullahi said when all their appeals for calm failed, they were left with no option than to disperse the violent protests.
“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, B/Kudu, Gumel, Kazaure and Babura LGAs”, he added.
