Two young men protesting against President Muhammadu Buhari’s governance, have been arrested in Kogi State.
Confirming the arrest of the youths to newsmen in Lokoja, the state capital, the state Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Edeh, said the command will not fold its hand to allow mischief-makers to stage unlawful protest in the state.
Edeh revealed that personnel of the command while carrying their routine patrol around 2:30 am on Monday, arrested the two young men who were painting buildings and pasting posters with the inscription: ‘Buhari Must Go’. The police boss stated that while citizens had the right to protest, such must be done lawfully without inciting the public.
According to the police boss, the youths could not have been protesting in the dead of the night as was being insinuated, noting that painting walls and pasting anti-Buhari posters could not be termed as a peaceful protest. Edeh added that the command was working round the clock to ensure the protection of lives and property and warned mischief makers to stay clear of the state as the command would arrest perpetrators.
Meanwhile, the state government has commended the youth in the state for crushing the anti-Buhari campaign.
A statement made available to newsmen on Monday by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, described the protesters as “imported and sponsored youths, who came to the state to campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari.”
“The sponsored youths congregated in Benue State, from where they moved to Kogi State and began to paint walls as well as display anti-Buhari posters that were printed in a South-South state,” Fanwo added.
The commissioner said Kogi youths, who were ardent supporters of Buhari, apprehended the suspects and handed them over to law enforcement agents for possible prosecution for violating the Environmental Laws of Kogi State and disturbing the peace of the people.
He added, “We are placing it on record that the fanatical following of Mr President by the Kogi people is borne out of our faith in his integrity and quality leadership. Kogi is PMB and PMB is Kogi.
“The Kogi State Government hereby sounds a note of warning to all agents of destabilisation to steer clear of our state in their bid to play divisive, destructive, destabilising and debilitating politics. Kogi is focused on the development and is committed to improving the living standards of the people.”
In another news, the Kogi State government has declared that all is well between the state governor, Yahaya Bello, and his wife, the first lady, Rashida Bello.
The reaction on Monday by the government follows earlier reports in some quarters that the first lady has moved out of the government house following disagreements with the Governor, Naija News reports.
