390 People Charged For Violence During Jigawa Hunger Protests

The Jigawa State Police Command said on Thursday it had prosecuted no fewer than 390 out of the 400 suspects arrested for vandalism and other crimes during the nationwide hunger protest that turned violent in Jigawa and some other northern states.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, A.T. Abdullahi, disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in Dutse on Thursday.

He said the protesters were apprehended during the protest for vandalising and looting government and public property in the state.

“We arrested 400 protesters and out of the number, 390 have been prosecuted while the cases of the remaining suspects are still pending,” the CP said.

According to him, hoodlums, under the guise of the hunger protest, vandalised and looted public and private property in 10 local government areas of the state.

The CP listed some of the vandalised and looted property as the state government fertilizer stores in Babura and Hadeja LGAs.

According to him, the LGAs, where the protest turned violent, are Kiyaye, Hadeja, Kazaure, Kaugama, Malammadori and Gumel, among others.

Abdullahi said the police were able to recover some of the looted properties from the suspects.

“I must use this opportunity to commend our officers and men of the command for their efforts and commitment to contain the protest,” he added.