The Police Command in Kaduna State has detained 25 suspected hoodlums following the outbreak of violence during the nationwide protests that commenced on Thursday. The command has vowed to take tougher measures against miscreants who hijacked the peaceful processions to vandalize government, private, and police assets.
ASP Mansir Hassan, the command’s spokesperson, issued a statement on Thursday in Kaduna, highlighting the unfortunate turn of events. According to Hassan, the initially peaceful protests were disrupted by hoodlums who took advantage of faceless sponsors to unleash planned mayhem in the state.
The unruly miscreants attempted to gain access to the Kaduna State Government House but were resisted by security personnel. In the ensuing chaos, two policemen were injured, and the windows of a Police Armoured Personnel Carrier stationed at the government house entrance were shattered. The attackers also targeted the office and staff of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA), setting the office and adjoining state government offices on fire.
Hassan revealed that the 25 detained hoodlums were found with exhibits indicating violent tendencies, including scissors, jack knives, and live 7.62 X 39mm ammunition recovered from one Hassan Ibrahim of the Rigasa area. Additionally, one suspect was arrested for deception while dressed in a police camouflage uniform.
Despite the Inspector General of Police’s advice for groups intending to protest to liaise with their state Commissioners of Police to ensure peaceful demonstrations, no group or individual had notified the Kaduna Police Command of their intention to protest. Hassan stated that any attempt to protest violently would result in those individuals or groups being treated as miscreants.
The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Mr. Audu Ali, has called on parents and guardians to restrain their wards from disturbing public peace, emphasizing that the command would not hesitate to address such tendencies with the seriousness they deserve.