Soldiers, Security Operatives Enforce 24hr Curfew In Kaduna
As security operatives battled hoodlums who mixed with protesters in Kaduna on Monday, a stray bullet wounded a Kaduna man who was inside his home at the Hayin Danmani community.
Malam Bala Wushishi, a resident of the community said on Tuesday, that the situation was tensed as the security forces fought the rampaging youths who took over the protest and caused mayhem.
According to him,” I just returned from the 44 hospitals where the man is receiving treatment. He was not among the protesters. We were all in our houses as gunshots were heard everywhere. Suddenly, a bullet found its way into the man’s house and hit him. I saw him, he is lucky to be alive.”
” These young boys were killed when they went to steal rice in a local mill. They were just hiding under the guise of protest, to steal,” he alleged.
At the western bypass, the miscreants had a field day before the arrival of soldiers, who gave them a hot chase.
An eye witness, Mr. Sam Yusuf said ” the miscreants hauled stones and other hard objects on moving vehicles. They did that to an articulated vehicle (trailer) that was carrying goats. In fact, they even climbed the truck and started picking the goats before the driver zoomed off.”
Similarly, another truck carrying bags of red pepper, was stopped and vandalised by the miscreants along the Kawo- Hayin Banki axis in Kaduna North Local Government Area. Each bag of red pepper was estimated to be close to N200,000.
Many unsuspecting commuters fell victim of notorious phone snatchers, who took advantage of the riotous atmosphere and unleashed terror in the area. Unconfirmed report indicated that one of the phone thieves who pretended to be a protester, was apprehended and beaten to death by people in the area.
A prominent Muslim leader, Sheikh Halliru Maraya has admonished that killing innocent souls is against the teaching of Islam, warning that ” if you kill one person, the consequence is like you’ve killed the entire humanity. “
Meanwhile, there was scarcity of bread, rice and other essentials in Hayin Banki and other neighboring communities on Tuesday, as the popular Kawo weekly Talata (Tuesday) market could not hold, due to the curfew imposed on Kaduna.
Women were seen going round the community in search of bread and rice, which were scarce as retail shops were either closed or could not get enough supply of bread from the bakery.
The Police in Kaduna, whose operatives were spotted enforcing the curfew, except for those on very essential duties like medical personnel and journalists, said they arrested 39 suspects including a tailor who was producing Russian flags for the protesters.
“These individuals, seen displaying Russian and Chinese flags, mobilized and engaged in the vandalization of private and public properties. Among the damaged properties were a Hilux vehicle belonging to KADVS, a Toyota Yaris owned by a journalist, and the KASTLEA office in Zone 6, Zaria, which was set on fire,” Spokesman of the Kaduna State Command, ASP Mansir Hassan said.
ASP Hassan who debunked the story thay hoodlums seized an Armoured Personnel Carrier belonging to the police, explained further that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, had intervened to restore order in the state.
“During the confrontation, the suspects became hostile and resorted to using stones, catapults, and other weapons. The police managed to calm the situation with the minimal use of tear gas.”
“In total, 39 suspects were arrested at the scene, including a tailor who was sewing the foreign flags for the group. The police recovered 38 Russian flags, one Chinese flag, two catapults with a bag of stones, and various vandalized items.”
“The State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Ali Dabigi, psc, while commending his officers, issued a stern warning to all residents to adhere to the imposed curfew. He assured that violators will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.”
“The CP also appeal to all citizens to cooperate with the Police and other Security Agencies during this critical period. The curfew is in place to protect lives and property, and ensure the swift restoration of peace in Kaduna State,” Hassan said.
