Police condemns violent protest by ATAP students, commences investigation

By Samuel Luka, Bauchi

Bauchi state police command has condemned the violence that trailed protest by students of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP) Bauchi which occurred Tuesday morning.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Mamman Sanda who made the condemnation said investigation into the matter has since commenced.

The press release which was signed by the Police Public Relations officer of the Command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil said that the incident happened on Tuesday 19th July, 2022 at about 9.00am.

He said that the students in their numbers trooped out of their school premises and barricaded the Bauchi-Plateau federal highway to demonstrate against the school’s decision to embark on two weeks warning industrial strike set to commence today (Tuesday).

The PPRO who said that protesters took a toll on the Jos-Bauchi highway, attracted some miscreants and hoodlums who made it degenerated into a violent demonstration.

He said that the miscreants and hoodlums infested protesters resorted to burning of tyres, smashing peoples’ vehicles, damaging properties, extortion of mobile phones and looting some shops situated opposite the school.

SP Wakil said Police team led by the Area commander metro and a Police anti-riot squad rushed to the scene and tried to appeal to the students’ leaders, but yielded no positive result.

Instead, the PPRO said the protesting students started throwing stones and other dangerous objects at the Police team which made the police officers sustained serious injuries.

SP Wakil however said that the violent protesters were eventually dispersed and normalcy was restored.

According to the PPRO, the CP warned that no form of violent demonstration or unlawful gathering will be tolerated.

SP Wakil said the CP has ordered officers and men of the command to intensify efforts in resisting and curtailing any act of lawlessness, oppression or intimidation from any group of persons.

He has also warned officers to be professional while discharging their duties.

The CP who said investigation into the circumstances surrounding the protest has begun, urged law-abiding citizens in the state not to panic but go about their normal businesses and stay away from all forms of criminality.