Rita Odafe
More than 50 individuals, including women, were apprehended by the Bauchi State Police Command regarding the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceProtest that transpired in the state capital.
Nigerians took to the major streets on Thursday protesting against the economic hardships and food shortages.
Nevertheless, what started as a peaceful protest turned violent in certain areas, with security forces using tear gas on the protesters.
The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi, CP Auwal Muhammad, explained in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday that the arrests were made due to violations of public order and illegal assemblies.
“Fifty-two individuals from the demonstrators were apprehended for displaying violent and disorderly behavior. They tried to disturb public peace, which goes against the agreements we had with them,” he stated.
Muhammad also mentioned that one police officer sustained injuries, claiming that the protesters started to act unruly, involving themselves in stealing mobile phones and causing damage throughout the city.
He revealed that the protesters, numbering over 3,000, regrouped after being dispersed and attempted to move towards the Government House.
“They were hurling stones at our officers. Some of our officers were injured, so we had to act swiftly. The governor would have spoken to them if they had not been unruly.
“We acted professionally, and no one was killed. The protesters used women and children as shields, but we managed to overpower and control them,” the CP stated.
