Suspected hoodlums vandalised the Zamfara anti-thuggery agency’s secretariat during the March 21 post-election violence in the state after the announcement of the state’s governorship election results.

The commandant, Bello Bakyasuwa, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Gusau on Saturday.

Gusau, the state capital, on March 21, recorded post-election violence as hoodlums joined the PDP to celebrate the governorship election victory.

The violence led to the vandalism of APC offices and billboards and the destruction and looting of government offices and properties worth millions of naira.

The state police command, in a statement, said it had arrested 40 suspected hoodlums for the alleged violence.

Mr Bakyasuwa described the violence as an ugly incident.

He condemned the theft and destruction by some alleged party supporters in the state.

He noted that the agency remained apolitical and was established by Governor Bello Matawalle to complement security agencies to promote peace and stability in the state.

According to him, two operational vehicles of the agency, including a Hilux and Peugeot 406 saloon belonging to the agency, were stolen by the hoodlums.

He said properties worth N50 million at the secretariat were stolen by the hoodlums.

“As I am speaking to you, the main gate of our secretariat has been removed, windows, doors, and furniture of our offices were removed and stolen by the hoodlums

“All our offices, including the conference room, store, kitchen clinic and pharmacy, were vandalised, and all properties inside were stolen.

“All the properties in our tailoring unit with uniforms worth millions of naira and ICT centre have been vandalised and stolen.”

He said the agency was working with security agencies to ensure the arrest of the perpetrators.

In his reaction, the secretary, Publicity Committee, PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Ahmad Shatiman-Rijiya, said the party had no hand in the post-election violence.

Mr Shatiman-Rijiya said PDP had been existing in the state since 1999 but never recorded violence.

“Our members have no hand in attacking, destruction, or stealing property by APC supporters.

“How do you expect we, the PDP that recorded the victory, to cause violence? I am telling you this is not true,” he added.

(NAN)