From Our Correspondent in Minna
The Police in Niger state say they have arrested 17 suspects for allegedly planning to cause incitement of youths to protest and cause breach of peace in the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adamu Usman, who disclosed this in a statement he made available to journalists in Minna on Tuesday, said the suspects were hiding under the umbrella of #EndSARS# to mobilize other youths in the state for planned protest against alleged police brutality.
He, however, commended youths in Niger state for displaying high level of responsibility, notwithstanding provocations.
“I commend the youth of Niger state for displaying high level of responsibility, calmness, perseverance and restraint in the face of threats and calls from different quarters.
“It is very unfortunate that other interests have hijacked these protests and are compounding our collective security problems.
“Interestingly, investigation shows that most of those arrested were from other states,”he said.
Usman noted that youths in the state had been inundated with deliberate falsehood and misinformation, through the social media, in the face of unwarranted provocations from other divisive elements hiding under the umbrella of EndSARS protest in the country.
He, however lauded the state government,traditional institutions, communities and religious leaders, youth leaders and journalists for their support and cooperation in the face of prevalent situation the country found itself.
The commisdioner of police solicited for more proactive measures from members of the public among others to check breakdown of law and order in the state.
While pledging the command’s commitment toward guaranteeing security of lives and property,Usman appealed to parents and guardians to prevail on their children and wards to shun lawlessness, under whatsoever guise.
“I wish to call on members of the public; parents and guardians in particular as well as relevant stakeholders at various levels in the state, to continue to prevail on their children and subjects to remain peaceful and shun acts of lawlessness.”
The police boss,who urged residents of the state to go about their normal businesses without fear of attacks or intimidation, assured them of the preparedness of police to provide adequate security for peaceful coexistence amongst the various ethnic nationalities in the state.
He called on the people to report any suspicious movement or gathering to security agents for immediate action, assuring them that the 17 suspects would be charged to court, as soon as investigations on them are concluded.
The Reporters, an online publication, recalls that the police in Kwara state, on Monday,paraded no fewer than 144 suspected for their alleged involvement in the#ENDSARS protest in Ilorin, more than a week ago during.
Public and private properties, worth millions of naira, were either stolen or destroyed by the protesters while the protest lasted.
