#EndBadGovernance Protest: Security Agencies Nab 212 Suspects, Clamp Down On Protesters In Jigawa

…Recover various items, Curfew for review

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

The Jigawa state Police Command has said it has so far arrested a  total of 212 suspects in connection with the ongoing nationwide protest, which entered day three on Saturday.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmed Tijani Abdullahi, said while briefing reporters at the Command’s headquarters in Dutse on Saturday, that various valuable items stolen by protesters were recovered by the men of his command.

He explained that out of the 212 suspects arrested, 74 of them have since been charged to court, while the remaining ones were still undergoing investigation.

The police chief, who gave updates on the effort of his men to bring law and order in the state, lamented that teenagers were misled into unleashing mayhem on the state under the guise of protest

“Those teenagers have showed unruly behavior, refusing to listen to our appeals. They have ignored warning and pleas to desist from violence, instead choose to engage in destructive behavior. Their actions have resulted in widespread destruction of government properties and disruption of economic activities.

“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, Binnkn Kudu, Gumel, Kazaure and Babura LGAs.

“To address the situation, additional personnel and equipment had to be deployed to affected areas.

“In addition the state Government, based on the security advice and wider consultation with Heads of security agencies, declared a 24-hours curfew across the state on 1st August, 2024 with a view to curtailing the spread of violence and also ensure protection of lives and properties of the law-abiding citizens in the state.

“The 24-hour curfew is a necessary measure to restore peace and stability. It will also allow the security agencies to contain the situation and prevent further destruction.

“It is gratifying to observe that there is substantial compliance with the curfew by members of the public across the state”

He said, however, that following the substantial compliance with the he curfew by residents and citizens, the security council might not hesitate to recommend to the state to review the duration of the curfew.

He confirmed that Motorcycles 50 were recovered, three tricycles, 12 bicycles, 303 bags of fertilizers, nine chairs, 54 cartons of mosquito, two bags of rice and some office furniture.

The CP appreciated the cooperation, synergy and collaboration by other sister agencies, in our efforts to maintain law and order. Their professionalism and dedication is highly commendable.

‘We appreciate all the law-abiding citizens of Jigawa State for their understanding, prayers, support, encouragement and cooperation.

“By and large, be assured that the security agencies in the state will continue to remain committed to providing a safer and more secured environment for everyone to live in peace.

He urged all citizens to remain calm and to cooperate with security agencies. He also appealed to  “Those who have been misled into participating in these violent protests to desist and seek peaceful means of expressing their grievances likewise parents and teachers to discourage their children and ward against participation in this violent protest.”

He thanked the Inspector-General of Police for his guidance and support throughout this trying moment.