The Police Command in Yobe says it has arrested 18 suspects in connection with Thursday’s violent protest and vandalism in Nguru, Potiskum and Gashua towns.
The command’s Spokesman, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, who disclosed this in an interview, today (Friday, August 2) in Damaturu, the State capital, said the suspects hid under the guise of peaceful protest to torch public buildings and steal food items and empowerment equipment.
The suspects, he added, will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
Abdulkarim said the state Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, had warned hoodlums against the destruction of government assets in any part of the state.
The spokesman reiterated the command’s readiness to enforce the dusk to dawn curfew, earlier imposed on the affected towns to maintain law and order.
“ While recognizing the right to peaceful assembly, the command stresses that this right is not absolute and must not infringe on the rights of others. Any criminal acts will be met with firm resistance.
“ The command reiterates its commitment to upholding law and order, warning against violent protests that could lead to social and economic chaos,” he said.
The spokesman called on communities in the state to collaborate with the police to prevent miscreants from causing further mayhem.
