On Tuesday, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State explained that the state-imposed curfew in Azare, the headquarters of the Katagum local government area, and other metropolises in the state is to curtail the further spread of violence, News About Nigeria reports.
While addressing newsmen shortly after an emergency security council meeting held at the state government house on Tuesday, he noted that the move was to help secure the lives and properties of the people, saying, “We cannot allow this breakdown of law and order to go beyond the manifestation we have seen today in Bauchi.”
The governor expressed displeasure over the violence that erupted during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest in Azare and also noted that no life is worth wasting as the grievances of the people, especially the youths, are well understood.
He reassured them that his administration was working tirelessly to meet their demands.
Mohammed also commended security agencies in the state for swiftly handling the violence, adding that all hands must be on deck to ensure that there is no repeat of what happened in Azare and some parts of Bauchi metropolis.
The governor said, “We are with the youth in Bauchi State, but at the same time, we are not with those who want to unleash mayhem, violence, and destruction of lives and properties. Protests are the rights of everyone in a democracy. It is the right of the people to show anger.
“There is a lot of hardship and so, definitely, we have to listen, make amends on policies of the Federal government, the State and Local Governments and as leaders at various levels, we have to make amends. We are assuring all the people of Bauchi of their safety and security through persuasion and ensuring that security agencies go by the rules of engagement. This will ensure that there is no arbitrariness, subjectivity and arbitrary use of force and at the same time being firm to ensure that lives and properties are protected.”
