The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested 212 suspects in connection with destruction of government properties, looting and violence in the ongoing nationwide protest.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP AT Abdullahi, who disclosed this during a press briefing on Saturday, August 3, 2024, said 74 of the suspects have been charged.
He further disclosed that 50 motorcycles, 3 tricycles, 12 bicycles 12, 303 bags of fertiliser, 9 chairs, 54 cartons of mosquito nets, two bags and office furniture were recovered from the suspects.
According to the CP, series of proactive measures were taken to prevent violence and protect lives and properties during the protest, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, deployment of additional security personnel to potential hotspots, engagement with critical stakeholders such as pressure groups, hoteliers, council of Ulamas, youth group, CLOs, members of ACMORAN, NURTW, community engagement and outreach programs, monitoring of social media platforms, regular operation show of force and monitoring the activities of community leaders and influencers.
“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 engaged teenagers leading to violence and destruction of public properties especially at Palliative shops Yalwawa, Shuwarin and Government House in Dutse metropolitan,” the commissioner stated.
“The teenagers have showed unruly behavior, refusing to listing 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, B/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 24hrs 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.
“Let me use this medium on behalf of security Agencies in 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.
At this point, I must express my profound gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Jigawa, Mal Umar A. Namadi FCA for his unwavering commitment to the security of the State.
“I must also appreciate 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
“Finally, we urge all citizens to remain calm and to cooperate with security agencies. We also appeal 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.
“I also wish to sincerely thank the Inspector-General of Police for his guidance and support throughout this trying moment.”
