By Hope James
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested over 24 hoodlums for attacking the State Government House in Kaduna State during the nationwide protest on Thursday.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Kaduna, ASP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this, stating that some of the protesters tried to hijack the protest and incite violence.
He noted that the hoodlums were arrested while trying to gain entrance into the government house, vandalizing both State Government, private and police assets.
He disclosed that no fewer than twenty-four miscreants involved in violent conducts occasioned by mischief in the State, which resulted to 2 police operative sustaining injuries, were arrested, adding that among those arrested was a man dressed in police camouflage uniform, and others wielding dangerous weapons.
He further stated that the hoodlums broke the glasses of Police armoured personnel carrier stationed at entrance of the Government House, subsequently, attacked the office and staff of the Kaduna State traffic law enforcement agency, among others.
He stated, “The somewhat peaceful protest has been hijacked by hoodlums who took undue advantage of the so called faceless sponsors and unleashed their planned mayhem on the State.
“The unruly miscreants attempted to gain access into the Kaduna State Government House before they were resisted by the security personnel at the said location, injured two police men, broke the glasses of Police armoured personnel carrier stationed at 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.
“Twenty-five numbers of these hoodlums were arrested with exhibits indicating their violent tendencies. These exhibits included scissors, jack knife and even live 7.62 X 39mm ammunition recovered from one Hassan Ibrahim of Rigasa area Kaduna. Similarly, one suspect was arrested dressed in Police camouflage uniform for deception.
“Despite the Inspector General of Police’s advice to groups intending to protest, to liaise with the Commissioner of Police of the State they so wished to protest, in order to fashion out modalities for a peaceful protest, no individual or group that has up till this very moment notified the Kaduna Police Command of its intention to protest in the State.
The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, CP Audu Ali Dabigi has however, called on parents and guardians to restrain their wards from involving in violent acts, and assured that his operatives would continue to maintain law and order by not allowing criminals breathing space.
