Some irate youths in Kusada, Katsina state burnt down a police station because the police had stopped them from observing their Friday prayers in the mosque.
The youths burnt the police station together with two motorcycles, seven cars and a generator according to reports by The Nation.
On March 25th, the Katsina state government announced a ban on social and religious gatherings as preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
The police in the state had in line with this directive disbanded youths in the town who gathered in a mosque to pray.
The police also arrested their leader for defying the orders of the state. Apparently, this did not go down well with some youths in the state.
To drive home their anger, the irate youths attacked the police station, overwhelmed the police officers and destroyed every property insight today March 28, 2020.
The spokesperson of the state police command, SP Gambo Isah confirming the incident said, 90 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.
Read the full statement released by the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Gambo Isah.
“Recall that Katsina State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, CFR, fnim, issued a restriction orders Nos. SEC.2/T/3 and SEC.2/T/14 dated 25th and 27th March 2020 respectively, directing for the total closure of its borders and suspension of large gatherings for the weekly Friday prayers and Sunday Church services while marriage ceremonies to be conducted in a low key across the state as part of measures taken to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“However, yesterday 27/03/2020 some disgruntled youths under the leadership of one Mallam Hassan tested the will of the state and conducted a Friday prayer in one of the Kusada jummaat mosques. Subsequently, he was arrested for questioning at Area Commander’s office, Malumfashi which did not go down well with some of his followers.
“Consequently, today 28/03/2020 at about 09:00hrs, this particular group organized themselves in such a tumultuous manner, rioting, attacked and overpowered the policemen on duty at Kusada Division, set ablaze the police station and DPO’s Quarters. They also burnt down seven motor vehicles and ten motorcycles in the custody of the police station.
The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Sanusi Buba, psc ordered for the deployment of police patrol teams and a special joint security task force on the Enforcement of public gathering in the state led by DC Operations, to the area which has already restored normalcy.
Ninety (90) suspected rioters have been arrested while one of the rioters lost his life as a result of the encounter.
Investigation is ongoing.
SP GAMBO ISAH
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, (PPRO)
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
KATSINA STATE POLICE COMMAND
