Angry youths in Katsina burn down police station after police officers enforcing the state lockdown stopped them from observing their Friday prayers

Rampaging youths in Kusada town in Katsina State burnt down a Police station after the officers attached to the station stopped them from observing their Friday March 27th Jumat prayers.

The state government on March 25th, announced a ban on social gatherings including religious gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Acting on this directive, the police officers dispersed youths in the town who were gathered in a mosque to pray. Their leader was also arrested for defying the orders of the state.

Angered that the police prevented them from observing their prayers, the rampaging youths today March 28, stormed the police station, overpowered the police officers and destroyed every property in sight.

Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Gambo Isah, said 90 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack. Read the statement he released below

“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 Corona virus 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 over powered 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 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 have 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