Protest: Police detain 81 suspected miscreants in Sokoto

By HARUNA AHMED, Sokoto –

Sokoto State Police Command has detained 81 individuals posing as protesters in the state.

The command’s spokesman, ASP Ahmad Rufai, disclosed this in a statement issued in Sokoto on Friday.

ASP Rufai praised the swift action of the police and dedication to public safety.

“The police in collaboration with other security agencies in the state, successfully apprehended 81 miscreants.

“These individuals disguised themselves as peaceful protesters,” he said.

Rufai said that the protest which began early Thursday morning under the close security watch, turned violent around 3:00 PM.

“Billboards and iron railings on some major roads within the state were vandalised.

“However, to maintain law and order, the joint patrol team made the arrests.

“The Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Mr Ali Kaigama, acknowledged the rights of residents to protest but condemned the destruction of public infrastructure,”he said.

Rufai assured that any violent protester causing destruction would be arrested and prosecuted.