By Ogalah Ibrahim
No fewer than three persons were killed, while several others sustained injuries following violent clashes between youths and security operatives in Katsina metropolis.
The incident reportedly began late on Friday, December 27, at about 10:00 p.m., when police operatives raided suspected criminal hideouts in Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters and attempted to arrest a suspected drug peddler identified as Uzairu, also known as Kuda.
According to the police, the suspect resisted arrest and raised an alarm, which attracted some suspected gang members who attacked the officers in a bid to free him. During the ensuing struggle, a firearm was reportedly discharged, hitting Uzairu. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.
Tension escalated the following day during Uzairu’s funeral procession when youths allegedly clashed again with security personnel at the graveyard. Two persons were reportedly hit by stray bullets during the violence.
Police authorities said one of the victims was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital, while the other is currently receiving medical treatment.
During the unrest, the youths allegedly set ablaze a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) outpost and attempted to burn a nearby police outpost before security reinforcements were deployed to the area.
Confirming the incident, the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, said the clashes resulted in the death of two civilians, while another injured person is responding to treatment.
DSP Aliyu explained that during the initial raid, suspects attacked the police team, damaged an operational vehicle and injured several officers. He added that one policeman was stabbed with a knife while suspects attempted to disarm him.
“During the struggle to secure the rifle, a shot was released, hitting and injuring the suspect, who later died in the hospital,” he said.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that during the funeral procession on December 28, suspected miscreants hijacked the event, set fire to the NSCDC outpost and attacked security personnel, leaving one policeman with a deep machete wound and damaging a police patrol van.
He said calm has since been restored to the area, with heavy deployment of police and NSCDC personnel to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
DSP Aliyu added that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
“We urge members of the public to exercise restraint and avoid taking the law into their hands as investigations continue,” he said.
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