From Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
Police in Sokoto State have apprehended 81 ‘miscreants’ who participated in Thursday’s nationwide protest held in the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Ali Hayatu Kaigama, in a statement made available to Journalists on Friday said the miscreants were arrested after seeing looting public infrastructures during the peaceful protest that later turned violent.
“In disguise of peaceful Protest by the youths, mostly young persons, the Protest started at the early hours of today under a very close security watch until around 03:00 pm where it started becoming violent and unruly.”
“Billboards in front of Government House and Iron Rail demarcation of some Major roads within the State were vandalised”.
“In the quest to maintain law and order within the State and to avoid further breaking of shops and looting of warehouses among other nefarious activities, the Joint Patrol was able to make the arrest”.
The Commissioner of Police however commended the display of swift action, professionalism and dedication to public safety by the combined security operatives in the state.
Kaigama, while acknowledging the right of the residents of Protest, frowns at the destruction of public infrastructures as any violent Protesters will be arrested for destruction of Public property and will be caused to face the full wrath of the law.
He further assured adequate security in the state, and urged the people of the state to avoid any form of criminality during the protest.