Mob razes Sokoto commissioner’s residence, destroys district head’s property

Protesters in Isa Local Council have set the personal residence of Sokoto State Commissioner for Career and Security Matters, Col. Garba Moyi (rtd.) ablaze.

The mob, mostly youths, also stormed the residence of the Sarkin Gobir (district head) of Isa, Alhaji Nasiru Ahmed, and destroyed vehicles and other property worth millions of naira.

Both the commissioner and district head have, for long, been accused by people in the area of not making serious efforts towards ending the activities of bandits and other criminal gangs in the area.

Confirming the incident yesterday, police spokesman, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, said that arrests were made after reports reached the command on the incident.

According to Sanusi, a peaceful gathering was organised by some notable citizens of the area to discuss the way forward on the issue of security.

He said: “It was organised in good faith and resolutions were to be forwarded to appropriate quarters for further action when some bad elements hijacked it for a protest that went violent and caused disorder, which led to the unfortunate incident.

“Although no life was lost, they razed the residence of the commissioner and destroyed some vehicles of the district head.”

The police spokesman confirmed that the command arrested the organisers of the gathering and some of those believed to have taken part in the violence.

He added: “We are still making arrests while the investigation is ongoing.”

Sanusi said the state Commissioner of Police, Kamaludeen Okunola, ordered a full-scale investigation to ensure that all those involved were arrested accordingly.

Okunola reportedly warned against people taking laws into their hands, while assuring that the police would not relent in securing the life and property.

“We are determined to ensure a crime-free Sokoto State with the active cooperation and support of the people in the state with useful information.”