The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested 82 more suspects involved in looting and vandalizing public property during recent nationwide protests. This brings the total number of arrests in the state to 294 since August 1.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Dutse, the command’s spokesman, DSP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed that the latest arrests took place on Saturday and Monday.
Among the 212 suspects previously detained, the police recovered a wide array of stolen items, including 303 bags of fertilizer, 50 motorcycles, three tricycles, 12 bicycles, nine chairs, 54 cartons of mosquito nets, two bags of rice, and various office furniture.
DSP Shiisu added that 37 of these suspects were apprehended on Saturday for their alleged roles in vandalism and property destruction. Items recovered during Saturday’s operations in Kazaure, Babura, and Gagarawa Local Government Areas included 249 bags of fertilizer, 100 cartons of mosquito nets, 11 motorcycles, and four air conditioners. Other recovered items included televisions, desktop computers, agro-chemicals, rice, water pumps, solar panels, and office chairs.
The police also reported that some suspects had forcefully entered the guest house and farm of Senator Babangida Hussaini, stealing valuable items.
On Monday, another 45 suspects were arrested across Babura, Gwiwa, Roni, and Birnin Kudu LGAs. During these operations, the police recovered 30 bags of guinea corn, 94 bags of fertilizer, 335 bales of mosquito nets, two motorcycles, four bags of hibiscus flower, 12 refrigerators, 12 computers, three printers, six ceiling fans, eight solar panels, 66 office chairs, two wheelbarrows, and two carpets.
DSP Shiisu noted that 195 of the suspects have already been charged to court. He added that the situation in the state has since returned to peace, with no further reports of violence.
