POLICE ARREST 25 INDIVIDUALS IN CONNECTION WITH MINNA PROTEST
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced the arrest of 25 individuals linked to a recent demonstration in Minna, Niger State. The protest, which occurred on Monday, saw demonstrators block the Minna-Bada Road and Kpakungu roundabout, citing concerns over escalating food prices nationwide.
According to Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger State Command of the Force, Aisha Jibrin, identified as the protest instigator, along with several others described as troublemakers, have been apprehended.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, Abiodun stated: "It could be recalled that on 5/2/2024 at about 0700hrs, a large number of women and miscreants mobilised themselves and blocked Minna-Bida road and Kpakungu Roundabout, claiming to be protesting against increase in food prices, causing major obstruction on the highway and deprived motorists, travellers, and other road users from gaining access to attend to their lawful businesses."
He further explained, "The Command immediately drafted police patrol teams led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations DCP Shehu Umar Didango, to the scene, and after much persuasion by the police, the protesters deliberately refused to clear the road for public use, while His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Com. Yakubu Garba equally availed himself at the scene and addressed the group, yet they turned deaf ears and chose to be violent."
The statement outlined that the police resorted to minimum force after the protesters became violent, attacking law enforcement with dangerous weapons such as stones, bottles, sticks, cutlasses, and damaging police patrol vehicles and parts of the Kpakungu Division roof.
In response, the police arrested Aisha Jibrin, aged 30, Fatima Aliyu, aged 57, Fatima Isyaku, aged 43, all residents of Soje ‘A’ of Kpakungu area of Minna, and twenty-two other individuals allegedly involved in the unrest.
The authorities have emphasized their commitment to maintaining law and order while urging citizens to express grievances through lawful channels.
Stay tuned for further updates.
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