IN KATSINA, PROTESTERS SET A POLICE CAR ON FIRE.

Tunji Wusu –

After police attempted to stop a traffic violator on Tuesday in Katsina city, protesters set fire to a vehicle belonging to the traffic division of the Katsina State Police Command.

One of the busiest roads in the city, Kofar Guga, is where the event happened around one in the afternoon.

“When they (traffic police officers) attempted to halt and maybe arrest the individual, he was on a motorcycle. He ran away after leaving his motorcycle on the road.

Then a vehicle ran over the motorcycle, crushing it. The motorcyclist could have been crushed if he hadn’t fled swiftly, which infuriated bystanders who felt,” claimed a witness who wished to remain anonymous for safety concerns.

He said that the constant extortion of motorists by police officers may have infuriated the demonstrators as well.

In a statement, Abubakar Aliyu, the police spokesperson, verified the event.

Before setting the car on fire, the demonstrators, according to Mr. Aliyu, let the traffic violator escape.

He claimed that the currently fugitive suspect had broken the law while the traffic officers were “doing their work.”

Eight people have been detained in connection with the event, Mr. Aliyu noted.

The fact of the matter is that on July 4, 2023, at around 1300 hours, men from the Command’s State Motor Traffic Division (MTD) were performing their authorized duties when a commercial motorbike rider attempted to flee from them and fell to the ground. The alleged rider’s motorcycle was destroyed by a passing truck as he managed to flee.

“In view of the aforementioned, some dishonest individuals profited from the circumstance, assisted in his escape, and attacked the Police Patrol Vehicle.

“Upon receiving the report, Area Commander Metro mobilized and moved to the scene, where he successfully arrested eight (8) suspects for aiding the suspect’s escape and the attack on the Police Patrol Vehicle,” the statement read.

According to Mr. Aliyu, the command has begun a thorough inquiry into the incident.