The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, has placed the Corps on red alert as 32 persons were arrested in Kano for looting shops and vandalism during yesterday’s nationwide protests.
Audi ordered all zonal commanders, heads of formations, and state commandants across the 36 States and FCT to remain on red alert and bring to book anyone breaching the peace of the country.
The NSCDC boss led a team of operatives to monitor the protests last night in Abuja and expressed concern about attacks on security agencies deployed to protect government infrastructure and the civil populace.
He said several warnings were issued to protesters on the need to shun all acts of violence, vandalism, destruction, and looting of both public and private belongings amongst others, but regretted that the protesters failed to heed the warnings.
Audi faulted the entire process of protests as most agitators and organizers of the protests were obviously in absentia thereby giving room for unscrupulous elements to perpetrate their sinister intentions.
“It is very lamentable that there was the incidence of fierce attacks on security operatives and wanton destruction of properties in Kaduna, Kano, Yobe, Gombe and many other States just as officers and men were injured and NSCDC operational vehicle was set ablaze in Katsina”, Audi said in a statement.
He hinted that 32 suspects were arrested by NSCDC men at Sabo Gari, Bata/France road, and Murtala Mohammed Way in Kano.
The statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Babawale Afolabi, said despite the swift intervention of security operatives, the protesters who outnumbered them made away with goods worth thousands of naira.
“While #End bad governance nationwide protesters kicked off 1st August our men who had been earlier briefed on the need to safeguard all critical national assets and infrastructure across the board did not hesitate to ensure that 32 suspects were apprehended for vandalism, looting, and destruction of property. They would be properly investigated and legal actions be appropriately taken”, Babawale said.
He warned that security agencies would not tolerate any act of violence and destruction of government facilities as those who dare would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
Source: Nation News