The police and the Niger State government have disagreed over the Monday protests by some youths in the state.
While the police confirmed that some youths took to the streets to protest Monday, the state government said there was nothing like that.
The youths had been seen along Suleja axis of the Abuja-Kaduna road, wielding placards with different anti-government inscriptions.
Some of their placards read ‘Enough is Enough’; ‘Stop Anti-Masses Policies’; ‘We Are Not Slaves In Our Country’; ‘Hardship Is Unbearable’, and ‘Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back’.
However, Aisha Wakaso, Special Adviser on Print Media to Governor Mohammed Bago, in a statement, said there was no protest in the state.
“The Niger State Government firmly dismisses recent online reports by a media platform claiming that protests have commenced on the Abuja-Kaduna road in Niger State,” the statement, titled, ‘Niger State Government Dismisses False Reports of Protests, Urges Residents to Continue Daily Activities Without Fear’ read in part.
Contrary to the statement, SP Wasiu Abiodun, Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, confirmed the protest but added that the protesters were dispersed by the police operatives.
“Some boys were sighted along Kaduna road in Suleja in an attempt to block the road, the Area Commander Suleja swiftly moved with his team to the scene and the boys were dispersed peacefully,” he said.
“However, the operation Show of Force led by the Area Commander Suleja is ongoing for monitoring and intervention where any challenges may be observed.
“Members of the public are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses without any fear, as the Police and other security agencies are up and doing for monitoring and intervention.”
Abiodun said the Commissioner of Police in the state had directed massive deployment of security Operatives and operational gadgets in collaboration with sister security agencies to prevent any breakdown of law and order across the state.
