From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
The police in Borno State have arrested 97 youths for alleged violence, vandalisation of public property, waving/hoisting of foreign flags during the mass protests against economic hardship and government policies.
The state Commissioner of Police, Yusufu Mohammed Lawal disclosed this on Saturday while parading the suspects at the police special force (CRACK) operational base in Maiduguri, Borno’s capital.
CP Lawal who was represented by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nahum Daso, said some of the suspects were also arrested for theft and other crimes.
“The Command while in active collaboration with other security agencies, took proactive measures to curtail and mitigate the breakdown of law and order,” he disclosed while giving an insight into the August 1 #EndBadGovernance protest in Borno that turned violent.
He said some hoodlums took the advantage of the protest to vandalise public buildings and loot items meant for public good.
He explained that 83 of the suspects were apprehended in Maiduguri metropolis for “vandalising of public and private properties, mischief by fire, rioting, theft and looting of items.”
The CP itemised some of the facilities damaged as the World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse, streetlights and interlocking tiles for roadside.