The Katsina State Police Command has arrested 50 suspects who participated in the nationwide hunger protests.
According to ASP Abubakar Aliyu, the command’s spokesman, who spoke to newsmen in Katsina, no life was lost during the protests in the state.
“The state is now relatively calm as the protests have been contained,” he said, adding that the security arrangements have been reinforced in the state.
Some youths had vandalised some public properties, including street lights, cables, solar panels and poles, which they carted away.
Also, the Kaduna State Police Command also detained 25 suspected miscreants.
ASP Mansir Hassan, the command’s spokesperson, in a statement said: “This followed the infamous sudden outbreak of violence that characterised the nationwide protests in Kaduna.
“The police have detained no fewer than 25 miscreants involved in violent conducts occasioned by mischief in the state.”
He regretted that the somewhat peaceful protests were hijacked by the miscreants, who capitalised in the situation to wreak havoc on the state.
He deplored the attempt by the hoodlums to gain access into the Kaduna State Government House before the security personnel aborted the move.
However, he noted that they succeeded in injuring two police men, and broke the glasses of a Police Armoured Personnel Carrier stationed at the entrance of the government house.
“They subsequently attacked the office and staff of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA) and torched the former along with adjoining other state government offices,” Hassan further said.
“These exhibits included scissors, jack knives and even live 7.62 X 39mm ammunition recovered from one Hassan Ibrahim of Rigasa area Kaduna,” he added, showing exhibits indicating the violent intention of the suspects.
“Similarly, one suspect was arrested dressed in a Police camouflage uniform for deception, “he said.
Hassan said in spite of the Inspector General of Police’s advice to groups intending to protest to liaise with the Commissioners of Police of their states, they wished to protest.
“In order to fashion out modalities for a peaceful protests, no individual or group that has up till this very moment notified the Kaduna Police Command of its intention to protest in the state.
”In the absence of such a notice, it will be presumed that there’s none and any attempt to protest violently, those persons or groups will be termed miscreants and will be treated as such.”