A peaceful protest in Kaduna turned chaotic as violence erupted, prompting a strong police response. Police officers arrested 24 people involved in the unrest, which began when hoodlums infiltrated the demonstration, causing widespread destruction.
Initially intended as a peaceful march, the protest quickly devolved into chaos when a group of unruly individuals began to cause trouble. These agitators attempted to break into the Kaduna State Government House, resulting in injuries to two policemen and damage to a police armored personnel carrier stationed at the entrance.
The violence spread to the offices of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA), where the attackers set fire to the building and other nearby government structures.
In the aftermath of the violence, police apprehended 25 individuals, recovering weapons and other evidence of violent intent. Among the items seized were scissors, jack knives, and live 7.62 x 39mm ammunition found on Hassan Ibrahim from the Rigasa area. Additionally, one suspect was detained for impersonating a police officer by wearing a police uniform.
Despite warnings from the Inspector General of Police advising protest groups to coordinate with the Commissioner of Police for peaceful demonstrations, no notification was given to the Kaduna Police Command regarding the protest. As a result, the police treated any violent demonstrators as miscreants.
The Commissioner of Police for Kaduna State, CP A.D. Ali, has urged parents and guardians to keep their children from causing public disturbances. He stressed that the police would deal with any such disruptions with utmost seriousness, reinforcing the importance of maintaining public order.
