…Silence on those shot in viral video.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
In the ongoing “hunger protests” nationwide, Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 24 protesters during the protest, described them as “miscreant, who hijacked the procession and allegedly vandalised government, private and police assets.”
A statement, dated 1st August 2024, signed by the Command’s police spokesman, ASP Mansir Hassan, stated that, “Following the infamous sudden outbreak of violence that characterised the nationwide protest in Kaduna, the Police has arrested no fewer than twenty-four miscreants involved in violent conducts occasioned by mischief in the State.
The statement, made available to newsmen Friday, reads in parts: “As earlier envisaged, 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.
“Consequently, 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.
“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.
“The Commissioner of Police Kaduna State, CP A.D. Ali, psc, is calling on all parents and guardians to restrain their wards from indulging in disturbance of the public peace. He further said the Command will not hesitate to treat such tendencies with the seriousness they deserve.
“The CP, however, admonished parents and guardians to restrain their wards from involving in violent acts.”
The statement was silence about those protesters shot and viewed in viral video during the time.