By Alfred M. Akwe
Normalcy has returned to Nasarawa West Senatorial, especially Keffi and Karu District which which was the epic centre of violence in Nasarawa state.
The violent protest which which happened during the day 1 one nationwide end – #badgovernance protest which turned violence
A tour of the affected areas by the areas by the special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity Dr Nawani Aboki in company of journalists, it was observed that life has returned to normalcy with the people going a out their businesses.
Speaking in an interview with journalists after a tour of the affected areas, Chairman Keffi, Engr. Mohammed Shehu, expressed sadness that the protest took place in the first instance considering the level engagement the State governor, Egnr. Sule has done to impressive the welfare of the people.
Engr Shehu said the surprise protest took the council because reasonable youth had distance itself from the protest and that those involved are young koranic pupils, and and terror group, “yan shara” which had cause menace previously.
He thanked the governor for the prompt support their local governments received by the prompt deployment of additional security operatives in the state to restire normalcy and peace.
He decried the hijack of the protest by hoodlums who blocked the Keffi – Ajwanga- highway and extorted commutters both in commercial and private vehicles of the valuables well as smashing their vehicles.
He however said their was no looting or destruction of public or private facilities.
Engr. Shehu used the opportunity to callon the people and especially young persons to shun violence but provide support to the governor to enable him discharge the onerous task he is saddled with.
The Chairman Karu who decried the level of rage and destruction and looting that characterised the protest during the Day One protest, however commended the governor and the security operatives for their prompt response which he said went a long way to restore peace and normalcy in the local government.
He said inorder to help restore normalcy the Council like that of Keffi announced curfew, saying act forestall acts planned to be perpetrated in the night.
He said during day 2, the council beat the protesters to their game by deploying security operatives to strategic areas considered flash points.
He said some few people tried to gather in the morning of Day 2, but were quickly dispersed, restoring peace and normalcy.
He disclosed that not less that twenty protesters were picked by security operatives for mischief and planning to cause public violence and that investigation being conducted to determine the brains behind the violent protests.
The police while speaking to the media in Keffi confirmed that six (6 ) people are in their custody and that they were arrest during protest on August 1, 2024.
Elsewhere, in Lafia where some level of protest was witnessed On Day has become calm in Day 2 of the 10 days earmarked for the protest.
Also speaking in an interview the Special Adviser to Governor Abdullahi Sule, Dr Nawani Aboki appreciate the Governor for prompt provision of additional security operative support to the affected local government areas which resulted in restoration of normalcy.
He also paid glowing tribute to the local government of Keffi and Karu for not allowing the situation to degenerate beyond what happened in Day 1 of the protest.
He equally commended stakeholders in the Nasarawa West Senatorial District for their support as explained by the chairman. saying that by their action they demonstrated patriotism and deep love for the peace of the state.
Krestnews observed that bearing last minute changes the protest might not run through the ten (10)days earlier earmarked.
He called on the people not just those in Senatorial District but the state as a whole to support the governor in his quest to make the state better in terms of putting in place industrial infra structure that would improve the economy of the state.