20th April, 2011
As law enforcement agents battle to restore sanity in Katsina State which has been engulfed in post-election crisis, four persons have been burnt alive and 45 inmates released from the Federal Prisons in Funtua.
Although state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, had imposed a curfew between 9pm and 7am on Monday, several churches and homes were burnt during the night as rampaging arsonists moved around different towns in the state.
A security source told P.M.NEWS that the situation could have been worse if the governor had not imposed the curfew.
“It was a cat and mouse game between these uncoordinated miscreants and the combined security agencies in the state,†the source said.
Violent protesters had besieged the prison and set the inmates free. They burnt the official vehicles of the Prison Service.
Commissioner in charge of the Katsina Police Command, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed, said the violence in other states of the North had spread to Katsina.
“These people, who I will call miscreants, arsonists, criminals and murderers, went on the rampage in some towns in different local government areas, burning tyres, places of worship and people in their homes. This is unbecoming of human beings. It is barbaric. I was shocked with what I saw in Funtua,” he said.
Mohammed confirmed that at least four persons were burnt in their homes while household properties, cars and churches were destroyed.
He further stated that was sadism of the highest order and the police would not tolerate it.
“I have a list of those behind this violence, they will all be arrested and prosecuted, no matter their status,†he said.
Mohammed also said he had already summoned a meeting of religious and community leaders to ensure that the violence did not escalate that over 107 suspects had been arrested in connection with the mayhem.
P.M News gathered that massive destruction of property took place in Malumfashi, Kankari, Daura and Gibia.
At least five churches were burnt in Daura and Funtua. The Peoples Democratic Party secretariat in Kankari, private residences of local PDP chieftains, the Shema campaign office were destroyed in the orgy of violence.
The police said the violence in Malumfashi had a peculiar sinister motive to it.
“In Malumfashi, they will evacuate the homes, tell the occupants to come out and then set them ablaze,†the police boss.
Mohammed said security agencies were working hard to ensure that the violence did not escalate or remain till Tuesday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.
“I appeal to everybody to assist the police with information. I want information from the public about those behind these barbaric acts,†he said.
By Nnamdi Felix/Katsina