“There is a lot of hardship,” Governor Bala Mohammed said Tuesday as he tried to contain the violence that erupted in Bauchi.

“Protests are the rights of everyone in a democracy. It is the right of the people to show anger,” added the governor as he expressed his displeasure over the violence that erupted during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Azare, the headquarters of the Katagum local government area.

Mr Mohammed stated this while addressing journalists shortly after Tuesday’s emergency security council meeting at the state government house.

The governor said his government did not support any violent protests and would not hesitate to disconnect from them.

“We are with the youth in Bauchi state, but at the same time, we are not with those who want to unleash mayhem, violence and destruction of lives and property.

“There is a lot of hardship and so, definitely, we have to listen, make amends on policies of the federal government, the state and local governments and as leaders at various levels, we have to make amends,” the Bauchi governor said.

Speaking on the curfew imposed in Azare, Mr Mohammed said, “It is to protect other innocent Nigerians, the government and the people.

“We cannot allow this breakdown of law and order to go beyond the manifestation we have seen today in Bauchi.”

While commending the security personnel for handling the violence, the governor said all hands must be on deck to ensure no repeat of what happened in Azare and some parts of the Bauchi metropolis.

“We are assuring all the people of Bauchi of their safety and security through persuasion and ensuring that security agencies go by the rules of engagement.

“This will ensure that there is no arbitrariness, subjectivity and arbitrary use of force and at the same time being firm to ensure that lives and property are protected,” the governor assured.

(NAN)