Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, has expressed his concern with the violence that erupted during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstration in Azare, the state’s Katagum local government area headquarters.
Mohammed made the statement while speaking to reporters shortly after an emergency security council meeting at the state government building on Tuesday.
The governor stated that while they supported the youth’s aspirations, the state administration was opposed to any sort of violent protest and would not hesitate to distance itself from it.
“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,” he said.
Speaking about the curfew enforced in Azare, he stated, “It is to protect other innocent Nigerians, the government, and the people.”
“We cannot allow this breakdown of law and order to go beyond the manifestation we have seen today in Bauchi.”
While commending security forces for dealing with the violence, the governor stated that all hands must be on deck to prevent a repeat of what occurred in Azare and some parts of Bauchi city.
“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, or arbitrary use of force, while at the same time being firm to ensure that lives and properties are protected,” he assured.
