Kano: Police Arrest 76 Russian Flag Displayers, 873 Suspected Looters, Vandals

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State Police Command, revealed that a total of 76 participants at the just concluded #EndBadGovernance  protests wielding and displaying Russian National flags were arrested .

The Russian flag-displaying protesters are part of a total number of 873 arrests from the 10-day long nationwide protests against hunger in the commercial nerve centre of the North .

The State Commissioner of Police, Salman Dogo Garba, who spoke at a media briefing  Police Command Headquarters on Monday August 12, 2024, informed that various items and exhibits including two AK-47 riffles, and substantial properties looted from public and private establishments during the protests were also recovered from most of the arrested suspects.

The Source reports that during the protests, particularly on the first day,  Kano witnessed an unmitigated spate of looting ,vandalization, destruction and arson, just like Kaduna, Katsina, Yobe, Borno and Jigawa States.

Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto  protesters were majorly involved in the displaying of Russian flags, a development Security Agencies and the Nigerian authorities have described as treasonable and condemnable.

The Department of State Services, DSS, arrested of seven Polish Nationals last week also in Kano  over the display of Russian flags, a situation which has since ruffled some feathers within the Diplomatic circles.

The Kano CP, said the 76 arrested Russian flags displayers have been transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for proper profiling and possible prosecution.

Conversely, about 600 out of the 873 suspects arrested in connection with varying criminal activities during the protest have been arraigned on charges ranging from inciting disturbance, riot theft, mischief ,criminal conspiracy, and arson .

Further speaking, CP Garba noted that about 150 suspects apprehended for running  foul of the curfew imposed in the wake of the wanton destruction and looting have also been formally charged.

Those found culpable in the vandalization and looting of the State’s Printing Press are however, still undergoing investigation, he stated

Explaining the rationale behind the briefing CP Garba noted that it principally  aimed at providing  a comprehensive update on the recent violent incidents that resulted in the wanton destruction and looting of Government and private  properties in Kano state .

According to him, the ugly incidents were instigated by hoodlums under the guise of  nationwide protests .

He announced that a large part of the properties carted away by hoodlums from the NCC-ICT hub ,the High Court premises ,at the Audu Bako State Secretariat ,Kano state Printing press, some Supermarkets and other private concerns have been recovered by the Command .

However, despite the huge challenge posed by the recent EndBadGovernance protest, the CP insisted that the command has continued to demonstrate commitment towards discharging its primary duty of maintaining law and order.

“The Command has remained resolute, and steadfast in its duty to protect the lives and properties of all residents in Kano State.

Through proactive policing strategies, and community engagement, we have successfully achieved significant successes within the period under review ( August 1,to date )” the Kano CP stated .

In all ,Garba noted that about 41 suspects were  arrested within the period. for various offences including kidnappings,and armed robbery.