The Bauchi State Police Command has put a ban on all forms of social gathering in public places in the state without the approval of the command.
According to the police, the ban is in line with the Public Order Act and its statutory responsibility for the prevention of crime which is in view of recurrent violence emanating from such gathering, that led to the loss of lives and property.
The decision comes after three persons were killed and eight others injured following a violence that erupted at a birthday party in Lushi, an area near Yelwa, in Bauchi State. In a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kamal Abubakar, any person or group of people wishing to organise any form of a social event should seek security clearance from police.
He explained that such clearance can be got from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of an area or as the case may be from the Area Commander or the Commissioner Police not less than 48 hours of the scheduled gathering time.
“Anybody found violating this order will be arrested and dealt with according to the law. Once again, the Command appeals for cooperation from the members of the public in this regards, as it is done in the best interest of peace loving people of the state and not to deny anybody’s fundamental right of freedom of association and to ensure that the existing peace and security in the state is sustained”
