The police command in Katsina State has foiled an attempt to disrupt the Sallah celebrations in the Musawa Local Government Area of the state.

The command also arrested six suspects linked to a violent attack on villagers in Keku community.

The command spokesman, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu disclosed this in a statement in Katsina.

According to him, the command’s Village Crime Reduction Unit (VCRU) swiftly responded to the incident, which occurred on Wednesday at about 2p.m.

Mr Sadiq-Aliyu explained that the police reacted following reports that a group of hoodlums attacked residents with sticks and machetes.

He said the attack left several villagers with varying degrees of injury before security operatives intervened and restored calm in the area.

“Items recovered from the suspects included machetes, sticks and motorcycles allegedly used during the attack,” the police spokesman said.

He added that preliminary investigation showed that the suspects conspired to breach public peace and disrupt the relative calm being enjoyed during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

According to him, the prompt intervention of the VCRU operatives prevented the situation from escalating further, while the injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital and currently responding to treatment.

He stated that the state Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Umar-Fage, condemned the attack and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state during and after the festive period.

Mr Umar-Fage urged residents to remain law-abiding, cooperate with security agencies and report suspicious activities through the command’s emergency lines.

He also reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for thuggery, mob action and any act capable of disturbing public peace, adding that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations. 

(NAN)