- About 111 Gombe Protesters In Police Custody
By Aminu Garko
THE POLICE Commands in Kano and Gombe states have arrested 86 hunger protesters for alleged hoisting of Russian flags in the ongoing nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance in various parts of Kano and Gombe.
Also arrested was a Nigerien national believed to be responsible for sewing the Russian flags.
“The [Kano] suspects were found with 25 Russian flags and their arrest has been linked to a case of sedition,” Commissioner of Police in Kano, Salma Dogo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Jos.
“The suspects were apprehended at different locations across the metropolis and have been transferred to Abuja for further investigation,” he said.
Dogo urged residents to support the efforts of security personnel by providing information that could aid the quest to apprehend those involved in the recent mass looting of public assets.
He assured the public that the police and other security agencies would maintain a visible presence in and around the metropolis to ensure law and order.
Dogo appealed to parents to monitor their children’s conduct and behaviour, warning that anyone found fomenting trouble would be arrested and prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the Gombe State Police Command says it arrested 10 hunger protesters for displaying Russian flags while protesting in Gombe.
Gombe State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hayatu Usman, stated this in Gombe on Tuesday while giving an update of the protest at a news conference.
Usman said the protesters’ act disrespected Nigeria’s national symbol and have, by that action, committed treasonable felony and other related offences.
“On Monday, we saw the unsettling display of foreign (Russian) flags by some protesters. This act not only disrespects our national symbols, but also commits treasonable felony. So far, 10 suspects had been arrested flying Russian flags,” he said.
The police command also said that the number of suspects under police custody had risen to 111.
Giving a breakdown, he said that nine persons were detained for their involvement in violent protests and attacks on policemen, while 92 suspects have been picked over alleged vandalism and looting of public and private property.
He stated that so far, no loss of life had been recorded since the commencement of the protest in Gombe State.
Usman urged members of the public to go about their lawful businesses while assuring them of the command’s commitment to maintain peace and order while protecting lives and property.
“We are committed to a measured response; we want to ensure that the rights of peaceful protesters are respected while addressing those who engage in violence or unlawful activities,” he said. (NAN)
