Despite a 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government on Friday, protesters in Jigawa continued their demonstrations.
DSP Lawan Shiisu, spokesperson for the Jigawa Police Command, reported that at least 50 suspected hoodlums were arrested on Thursday.
Shiisu also confirmed that protests had restarted in Zai, Shuwarin, and Gumel towns, though he could not provide exact numbers for Friday’s arrests related to the curfew.
He assured that police and other security forces are managing the situation effectively and have successfully cleared the protesters from the streets
“Yes, we have made arrests in Shuwarin and Zai, but I cannot give you the number of those arrested immediately because they are still bringing them in.
“As for Gumel, we are yet to receive any information regarding resistance by the hoodlums,” he said.
However, NAN gathered that hundreds of youth have continued to match in the streets on Friday, the second day of the nationwide protest in Dutse and Gumel Local Government Areas.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that a combined team of security agencies was battling with the protesters, who wanted to gain access to public buildings and stores near Zai area of Dutse.
Another resident in Zai, Malam Adamu Abubakar, said that the youth in their hundreds were seen chanting different slogans and moving forcefully towards Dutse despite being teargassed by the police anti-riot squad.
An eyewitness also saw hundreds of protesters, mostly youths, regrouping at Shuwarin, a suburb of Dutse, to continue with the demonstration.
The eyewitness said that the protesters were marching towards Dutse township but were being blocked by security operatives.
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