Protesters in Jigawa ignored the 24-hour curfew imposed by the state government on Friday and continued their demonstrations.
DSP Lawan Shiisu, the spokesperson for the Jigawa Police Command, revealed that at least 50 suspected hoodlums were detained on Thursday.
He also confirmed that protests had resumed in Zai, Shuwarin, and Gumel towns, although he was unable to provide specific figures for Friday’s curfew violation arrests.
Shiisu reassured that the police and other security agencies are effectively handling the situation and have managed to disperse 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.