Protests: Police nab fresh 82 suspects in Jigawa

The Police Command in Jigawa said it has arrested 82 additional suspects of looting and vandalism of public property during the nationwide protests in the state.

The command’s spokesman, DSP Lawan Shiisu, said in a statement in Dutse that the suspects were arrested on Saturday and Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this brings the total number of suspects arrested and detained to 294 from Aug.1 in the state.

The command also listed items recovered from 212 suspects, including 303 bags of fertiliser, 50 motorcycles, three tricycles, 12 bicycles, nine chairs, 54 cartons of mosquito net, two bags, and office furniture.

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Shiisu said 37 of the 212 suspects were detained on Saturday for alleged involvement in vandalism and destruction of property.

He explained that the commands had recovered 249 bags of fertiliser, 100 cartons of mosquito nets, 11 motorcycles and four air conditioners.

Other items recovered also included four televisions, three desktop computers, 34 sachets of agro-chemicals, rice, water pump, solar panels and 10 office chairs.

“These items were recovered during the command’s Saturday operations in Kazaure, Babura and Gagarawa Local Government Areas,’’ he said.

The spokesperson further said that some suspects were alleged to have forcefully entered the guest and farmhouse of one Sen. Babangida Hussaini and carted away valuables items.

According to him, 45 of the suspects were arrested on Monday in Babura, Gwiwa, Roni and Birnin Kudu LGAs.

He, however, said 30 bags of guinea corn, 94 bags of fertiliser, 335 bales of mosquito nets, two motorcycles, four bags of hibiscus flower, 12 refrigerators and 12 computers were recovered in the Monday operation.

Other items recovered on the same day were: Three printers, six ceiling fans, eight solar panels, 66 office chairs, two wheelbarrows and 2 carpets

“No fewer than 195 of the suspects have been charged to Court,’’ Shiisu said, adding that the state was now peaceful, with no report of any violence. (NAN)