Joy Anyim
Forty-three suspected smugglers have been arrested by the Katsina State Police Command for allegedly killing a yet-to-be identified man during an attack on security operatives attached to the joint border drill in Daddara Village, Jibia Local Government Area.
Recall that the Joint Border Drill initiated by the office of the National Security Adviser in 2019, brought together operatives from the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, the Police and other key security agencies, to end smuggling.
According to reports, the attackers, mainly youths, stormed a major check point mounted by the security operatives around 8:30 a.m., protesting against the presence of the operatives.
Spokesperson for the Command, Gambo Isah, stated that the hoodlums became violent, burnt down a Border Patrol Van, one Volkswagen Gulf III vehicle, three AK 47 rifles and a pistol.
Isah further revealed that the hoodlums unleashed mayhem on commuters, destroyed their windscreens, and injured innocent road users.
A statement signed by the spokesperson said : “ On September 28, the Command received a report that some of group disgruntled youths and adults mainly from Daddara village came out in their numbers, tumultuously rioting and protesting. The angry protesters were reported to have blocked the Katsina – Jibia Highway, exactly at Dadda village, smashing and destroying vehicles of security agencies and that of innocent citizens passing along the highway.
“They also set ablaze a Police Border Control Post – Daddara, Nigerian Immigration Service Check point – Danmasani, one Police Border Patrol Van (stationery), one Volkswagen Gulf III motor vehicle belonging to the officer in charge of the police border post, two AK 47 rifles belonging to Joint Border Drill Forces, one Ak 47 rifle and a pistol belonging to Police Mounted troops.
“The rioters smashed and damaged the windscreen of many motor vehicles of innocent commuters passing through the highway. Consequently, the Command swiftly deployed teams of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and conventional units to the area, and have succeeded in arresting 43 persons found rioting.
“The teams have brought the situation under control as normalcy has returned to the area. But sadly one person lost his life during the fracas. Investigation revealed that, the riot was purportedly sponsored by smugglers and their agents targeting joint border patrol personnel and their facilities.”
He maintained that investigation into the attack was ongoing with a view to arrest more perpetrators and their sponsors.
Isah stated that the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Police Command, Sanusi Buba, has promised to bring all perpetrators to book to serve as deterrent to others.
