The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 52 protesters for alleged violent activities during the #EndBadGovernance demonstration which commenced on Thursday in the state.
Commissioner of Police Auwal Musa Mohammed, while providing an update to journalists on the arrest on Friday, said a policeman was also injured in the protest.
According to him, the arrests were made for breaches of public order and unlawful assembly, as the protesters did not obtain police permission for the demonstration.
He said 50 protesters, including women, were arrested in the state capital during the ‘End Bad Governance Protest.’
Mohammed stated: “Fifty-two protesters were arrested for being violent and unruly. They attempted to disturb public peace, which was not in accordance with our arrangement.”
He revealed that one officer was injured as the protesters became unruly, engaging in theft and property destruction throughout the city adding that over 3,000 protesters regrouped after being dispersed and attempted to force their way into Government House.
“They were stoning our policemen and injured some of them, so we had to act quickly. The governor would have addressed them if they had not been unruly,” Mohammed said.
He said further that the police acted professionally without causing anyone to be assaulted, despite the protesters using women and children as shields.
He assured that the command would do everything possible to maintain law and order during the protests and appealed for orderly behaviour from the public.