Police authorities deny maiduguri protest

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Police Authorities Deny Maiduguri Protest

Maiduguri, Borno State - The police authorities in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, have denied reports of a protest that allegedly took place in the city yesterday.

According to eyewitnesses, hundreds of residents of Maiduguri took to the streets yesterday to protest against the recent surge in banditry and kidnapping in the state. The protesters, who were mainly youths, marched through the streets, chanting slogans and carrying placards with messages such as "End Banditry Now" and "Protect Our Lives".

However, the police authorities have denied the reports, saying that no such protest took place in the city. In a statement issued yesterday evening, the police spokesperson in Maiduguri, DSP Edet Okon, said that the police were not aware of any protest in the city and that the reports were "baseless and unfounded".

"We are not aware of any protest in Maiduguri yesterday or at any other time," Okon said. "We are committed to maintaining law and order in the state and will not tolerate any form of violence or disorder. We urge the public to remain calm and to report any suspicious activities to the police."

The denial by the police authorities has been met with skepticism by many residents of Maiduguri, who claim that the protest did take place and that the police are trying to cover up the truth.

"I was there yesterday and I saw the protest with my own eyes," said one resident, who wished to remain anonymous. "The police are just trying to cover up the truth. They don't want to admit that there is a problem in the state."

The denial by the police authorities has also raised concerns about the level of transparency and accountability in the state. Many residents are calling for an independent investigation into the alleged protest and for the police to provide evidence to support their claim that no protest took place.

The situation in Maiduguri remains tense, with many residents calling for action to be taken to address the surge in banditry and kidnapping in the state.