Police: Hoodlums with faceless sponsors hijacked peaceful protest to unleash mayhem in Kaduna

The Kaduna police command says hoodlums with “faceless sponsors” used the #EndbadGovernance protest to unleash mayhem in the state.

In a statement on Friday, Mansir Hassan, the police spokesperson in Kaduna, advised groups intending to protest to liaise with the command to fashion out modalities for a peaceful protest.

Hassan warned that the police will not tolerate criminal tendencies in the state.

“The somewhat peaceful protest was hijacked by hoodlums who took undue advantage of the so-called faceless sponsors and unleashed their planned mayhem on the state,” Hassan said.

He also called on parents and guardians to restrain their children and wards from indulging in disturbances of public peace during the protest.

On Friday, hundreds of youths in Zaria town trooped in continuation of the protest against hunger and bad governance that began on Thursday.

The protesters were said to have barricaded some major roads, restricting vehicular movement in some parts of the town.

The main road from Zaria city to Kofar Doka to Agoro junction was blocked.

The protesters carried placards and sang songs, demanding an end to hunger, the high cost of living, and insecurity.

They were accompanied by security operatives as they marched around some streets.

However, in Kaduna, the state capital, no protest took place following the outbreak of violence when the protesters attempted to forcefully enter the Government House on Thursday.

More security personnel were deployed at strategic places to checkmate the activities of hoodlums.

The road leading to the Government House was barricaded by heavily armed police personnel.

The streets, particularly in the northern part of the city, were deserted, with shops, banks, and markets closed as residents stayed indoors.

The southern part of the city was, however, bustling with activities as residents came out for their normal businesses.