The Jigawa State Police Command has apprehended 212 individuals suspected of looting and vandalizing public properties in various parts of the state during the #EndBadGovernance protest.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Abdullahi, revealed this information while addressing the press about the security situation in the state. He mentioned that 74 of the suspects have already been charged and taken to court.
The police commissioner stated that he was providing an update on the situation and the measures being taken to restore law and order in Jigawa State.
Furthermore, Abdullahi mentioned that the Nigeria police, in collaboration with other security agencies in the state, had recovered 50 motorcycles, 3 tricycles, 12 bicycles, and 9 chairs.
According to him “other items recovered includes 303 bags of fertilizer, 54 Cartons of mosquito nets, two bags of Rice and office furniture”.
“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 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 e.t.c”.
He maintained that “all in that process, we community engagement and outreach programmes, monitored social media platforms, regular operation show of force, monitoring the activities of community leaders and influencers and expanded and all-encompassing town hall meeting organized by the state government”.
“Despite these efforts, on day one of the protest, some unscrupulous and unpatriotic elements 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”.
He noted that “The teenagers have shown unruly behaviour, refusing to listen to our appeals. They have ignored warnings and pleas to desist from violence, instead choose to engage in destructive behaviour”.
“Their actions have results in widespread destruction of government properties and disruption of economic activities”, he emphasised.
He added that “based on the security advice and wider consultation with heads of security agencies, declared a 24hrs curfew across the state on 1st August, 2024 with a view to curtailing the spread of violence and also ensure the protection of lives and properties of the law-abiding citizens in the state”.
