60 protesters arrested, police officer injured as protest turns violent in Bauchi

By: Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi

No fewer than sixty protesters have been arrested by Bauchi state police command for protesting against ‘end bad governance/ hunger’ and attacking police officers in the state.

The commissioner of police, Bauchi state command, CP. Auwal Musa Mohammed made this known while giving an update on the ongoing 10 days nationwide protest in the state.

The Nations News Nigeriareports that a police officer whose name is yet to be identified at the time of filing this report was severely injured while engaging the protesters.

CP. Auwal lamented that the protest against bad governance/ hunger in Bauchi state turned violent, especially as the protest entered day two.

He confirmed that 60 protesters were arrested following their violent behaviour while the protest was ongoing.

Auwal Musa, said that the arrests were made due to breaches of public order and unlawful assembly by the protesters who did not get Police permission before embarking on the exercise.

The Commissioner added that more than 50 protesters, including women, have been arrested by the Bauchi State Police Command following the ‘End Bad Governance Protest’ in the state capital.

The Commissioner of Police said that, “Fifty-two of them among the protesters were arrested, they were arrested for being violent and very unruly. They tried to disturb the public peace not based on our arrangement with them.”

He also stated that one of his Police officers was injured, stressing that the protesters became unruly, engaging in phone theft and property destruction throughout the metropolis.

According to him, the protesters who were over 3000 regrouped after they were dispersed and tried to force their way to the Government House.

According to him, “They were stoning our policemen. They have injured some of our policemen so we had to act fast. The governor would have addressed them if they were not unruly.”

He noted further “We acted professionally and we did not kill anybody. The protesters used women and children as shields but we were able to overcome and subdue them.”

He assured that the Command will do everything possible to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order when the protest will last appealing for the people to behave themselves in an orderly manner.