Protesters in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria, on Wednesday set the personal residence of the State Commissioner for Career and Security Matters, Colonel Garba Moyi (rtd) ablaze over the lingering terrorists and bandits’ attacks in the area.
The mob, mostly youths, also stormed the residence of the Sarkin Gobir (District Head) of Isa, Alhaji Nasiru Ahmed, destroying vehicles and other property worth millions of Naira.
Both the Commissioner and District Head have, for long, been accused by people in the area of not doing enough towards ending the activities of terror bandits and other criminal gangs in the area.
Spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, said that arrests were made after reports reached the Command on the incident.
Explaining the genesis of the crisis, Sanusi said the protest meeting “was organised in good faith and resolutions were to be forwarded to appropriate quarters for further action when some bad elements hijacked it for a protest that went violent and caused disorder, which led to the unfortunate incident.
“Although no life was lost, they razed the residence of the Commissioner and destroyed some vehicles of the District Head.”
The Police Spokesperson confirmed that the Command arrested the organisers of the gathering and some of those believed to have taken part in the violence, adding that “we are still making arrests while the investigation is ongoing.”
Sanusi said the State Commissioner of Police, Kamaludeen Okunola, has ordered a full-scale investigation to ensure that all those involved were arrested accordingly.
Okunola reportedly warned against people taking laws into their hands, while assuring that the police would not relent in securing the life and property.
“We are determined to ensure a crime-free Sokoto State with the active cooperation and support of the people in the state with useful information.”