BY TAHIR MOHAMMED, Dutse
Jigawa state police command has arrested 212 hoodlums, out of which 74 were charged to Court and recovered several looted property’s in various parts of the state during EndBadGovernance protest, Commissioner of Police, AS Abdullahi has revealed.
Addressing a press conference at the Command’s Headquarters in Dutse said the Nigeria police in conjunction with sister security agencies in the state have recovered 50 Motorcycles, 50 Tricycle, 12 Bicycles and nine chairs.
According to him “other items recovered includes 303 bags of fertilizer, 54 Cartons of mosquito nets, two bags of Rice and office furnitures.
“You may recall that in anticipation of the planned protest, series of proactive measures were taken to prevent violence and protect lives and properties.These measures includes 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 group, CLOs, members of ACMORAN, NURTW e.t.c”.
“Despite taking all necessary measures to avert unforeseen circumstances, on day one of the protest, some unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements who were bent on destabilizing the polity, decided to use and engaged teenagers leading to violence and destruction of public properties especially at palliative stores Yalwawa, Shuwarin and Government House in Dutse metropolis”.
He noted that, “The 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”, he emphasised.
Abdullahi maintained that “When all appeals failed. The security agencies were left with no option 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 that “based on the security advice and wider consultation with heads of security agencies, 24hrs curfew has been enforced by the state government across the state with a view to curtail the spread of violence and also ensure protection of lives and property’s of the law-abiding citizens in the state.
According to him, the 24-hour curfew is a necessary measure to restore peace and stability and allow the security agencies to contain the situation and prevent further destruction’s.
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 Nineteen (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 people of Giwa LGAs for cooperating with security agencies and support in confiscation of the looted property’s from the hoodlums.
His Excellency, Malam Umar Namadi FCA thank the good people of Jigawa State for their patient 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.
Signed:
Honorable Sagir Musa Ahmed, Commissioner of Information jigawa state.
