Police arrest ‘tailor’, 38 suspects with Russian, Chinese flags in Kaduna

The Kaduna police command says its operatives have arrested 39 suspects with Russian and Chinese flags during Monday’s #EndBadGovernance protest in the state.

Mansir Hassan, the police spokesperson, said in a statement that those arrested included a tailor sewing the flags.

Hassan added that the suspects were seen displaying Russian and Chinese flags during the protest, adding that they also engaged in the vandalisation of private and public properties.

“Among the damaged properties were a Hilux vehicle belonging to Kaduna State Vigilante Service (KADVS), a Toyota Yaris owned by a journalist, and the Zaria offices of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA), which was set on fire,” the statement reads.

“The police, in collaboration with other security agencies, intervened to restore order.

“During the confrontation, the suspects became hostile and resorted to using stones, catapults, and other weapons. The police managed to calm the situation with the minimal use of tear gas.

“In total, 39 suspects were arrested at the scene, including a tailor who was sewing the foreign flags for the group.”

The police spokesperson said 38 Russian flags, one Chinese flag, two catapults with a bag of stones, and various vandalised items were recovered from the suspects.

He added that Audu Ali Dabigi, the commissioner of police in Kaduna, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged the residents to obey the 24-hour curfew.

He warned that violators will be arrested and prosecuted under the law, while appealing to citizens to cooperate with the police and other security agencies during this critical period.

“The curfew is in place to protect lives and property and ensure the swift restoration of peace in Kaduna state,” Hassan quoted the commissioner as saying.