DSS arrests, detain protest leaders in Katsina

The leaders of the nationwide protest against bad governance in Katsina State have been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to Vanguard, Kabir Shehu Yandaki and Habibu Ruma, leaders of the “Struggle for Good Governance” protest, were invited to the DSS office in Katsina and subsequently detained.

Mujittapha Usman, who led the protest in Malumfashi Local Government Area, was also arrested by security forces.

Friends of the detainees informed local media that the DSS contacted Yandaki and Ruma by phone earlier in the morning, requesting their presence at the office to answer questions about the previous day’s protest. Upon arrival at the Katsina DSS headquarters, they were detained and have not been released as of the time of this report.

The initially peaceful protest turned violent when a disorderly mob, including many minors, took to the streets in the state capital, wielding sticks and leaves and chanting “Bamuyi Bamuyi” while destroying public facilities. The protesters burned an NSCDC patrol vehicle in the state capital and set fire to the ruling All Progressives Congress office in Dutsinma LGA.

As a result, the Katsina State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew on Dutsinma Local Government Area and a 7pm to 7am curfew on the remaining 34 LGAs of the state.