‘Hoisting flag of other Countries amount to treasonable felony -DIG, Ciroma tells protesters in Bauchi

By: Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi

The Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Bala Ciroma on Wednesday warned protesters against indulging in violence and hoisting flag of other countries in Nigeria

He emphasized that such action amounts to treasonable felony, as such, they are exposing themselves to prosecution.

DIG Ciroma issued the warning during his visit to Azare, Katagum local government area of Bauchi State.

He is in-charge of administration and Finance, was in Bauchi as part of response to the ongoing ‘endbadgovernance/ hunger’ protests.

According to him: “My call to Nigerians, most especially the protesters, is to exercise patience. They have the right to protest but they lack the right to burn or destroy Public or government property. People should always reason very well before they act”, DIG Ciroma advised.

He stated that normalcy has returned to Azare town of Katagum local government, where a 24 hour curfew was imposed by the Bauchi state government following the violent protest.

“However, there is a need for us to further fortify the security around this area to avert future occurrence”, he said.

The DIG further disclosed that the on–the-spot visit serves as an avenue to interact with members of the society, adding that his team were able to meet with the stakeholders, enlightened them on the dangers of such violent protest.

“So let us be careful of how we express ourselves in terms of protest, there is a protest and there’s also what we call insurgency, so we have to be careful”, he warned.

DIG Ciroma was accompanied by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone 12, Julius Alawari, and the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, CP Auwal Musa Mohammed, visited major deployment locations across the state, including Azare town where a curfew was imposed due to security concerns.

Responding, the chairman of Katagum local government area, Musa Mohammed Azare expressed his appreciation to the DIG for the visit, saying that the curfew was relaxed and people are going about their lawful activities after it was realized that the residents complied very well with the curfew.

Musa Azare who expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost in the sad incident, enjoined the youth to eschew any act that is capable of Jeopardizing peace and economic stability of the country.

He said that governor Bala Mohammed actually demonstrated a fatherly role by swiftly bringing normalcy to Katagum when the Nationwide protest turned violent with a record of looting and vandalization of public property by rampaging hoodlums.

“The Governor showed so much concerned when the incident occurred, I want to appreciate his quick response which assisted us in curtailing the problem”, he said