The Zamfara State Police Command has confirmed the burning of 15 vehicles as a result of yesterday’s protest by those it described as miscreants in Tsafe town, the headquarters of Tsafe Local Government Area.
The State Commissione of Police, Mr Usman Belel made the confirmation at a press conference in Gusau yesterday.
Belel who described the incident as unfortunate, said it was perpetrated by those bent on creating unrest in the society.
“What happened today in Tsafe was really uncalled for, people didn’t deserved that.
“We received a message in the early hours of today that members of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) were trying to stage peaceful protest to complain about their plight to the government on security issues.
“Our investigation revealed that, large number of miscreants were sighted at the gate of the IDP camp in Tsafe instigating women and children to partake in the protest”, he said.
“Therefore what happened today in Tsafe is not an IDPs demonstration, it is an act of criminals who have no regards to lives and properties”, he added.
He said no any death was recorded during the protest and that normalcy has already been restored.
According to him, the command has already deployed heavy security teams to the area to maintain law and order.
He said the police had commenced investigation on the matter, warning that anybody involved would face the full wrath of the law.
He warned people of the state to avoid taking law into their hands, urging communities to support security agencies with information in order to ensure prompt response curtail the recurring banditry in the state.
Meanwhile, the Zamfara Police Command said it had arrested 23 persons who were involved yesterday’s unrest in Tsafe town where firearms were used by the protesters.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Usman Belel, made this known to journalists in Gusau after the restoration of peace and normalcy in the affected area.
He said the command was particularly disturbed to discover that some of the protesting youths carried guns and fired shots to scare people after which they burnt several vehicles at the local government secretariat.
He said: “Although arrests were still going on in the local government headquarters, Tsafe and its environs, those arrested would help in investigations in order to fish out the perpetrators and their sponsors.”
Our correspondent reports that residents of Tsafe and environs, particularly Kucheri Village, woke up on Monday morning to face hundreds of youths who blocked the highway with bonfire and interrupted travelers from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara from passing to other parts of the country as well as those coming to the three states.
The rampaging youths were said to have taken over a planned peaceful demonstration by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camped in the area who felt they had over stayed and wanted to return to their villages.
The protesters had burned several vehicles and offices in the local government secretariat including the chairman’s office and offices allocated to some international non-governmental organisations operating in the area.
The mayhem was finally quelled by a combined team of security personnel who dispersed the protesters and cleared the path to traffic.
The Commissioner of Police said a detachment of the command’s officers and men would “remain in the area until we are fully satisfied that there is peace.”
Also, Zamfara State Police command has announced the restriction of movement in Tsafe local government area of Zamfara State as a result of unrest in the area.
It was reported that some youths have been protesting the level of insecurity in the state. The protesters reportedly blocked the road linking Funtua, Zaria, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kaduna.
It was reported that the protesters have burnt down the LG Secretariat and protesters were matching to LG Chairman’s residence.
Muhammad Shehu, police public relations officer in the state, announced that movement had been restricted between 6pm and 7am.
He said the restriction will be in force till the security situation improves.
Armed bandits attacked Magami village in Maradun Local Government Area on Saturday and killed some people.