There was panic in Gwari market, Mina, Niger State on Thursday over the forceful invasion of the market by heavily armed operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Igbere TV gathered that five of them in the wee hours of the morning, stormed the popular market in a commando style.
The operatives were, however, apprehended and disarmed by youths who mobilized to the market over suspicion they were kidnappers.
One of the traders told Igbere TV that the incident occurred few days after a kidnappers den was discovered by the police in the area, which must have prompted the youths to react swiftly.
She said the armed men, dressed in police uniforms and carrying AK-47 rifles, looked suspicious especially as they tried to ‘kidnap’ a trader upon their forceful invasion.
The armed men were said to have stormed the market and proceeded immediately to the shop of a prominent trader and tried whisking him into a waiting vehicle.
“The attempt to kidnap another trader made us to raise the alarm, which attracted the youths who mobilised to stop the act despite attempts by the armed men to stop them by shooting into the air.
“The youths proceeded to lock all the gates leading to the market to prevent the armed men from leaving the market,” she added.
Igbere TV gathered that along with the market vigilantes, the youths were able to disarm the officers and handed them over to the market police station before the arrival of men of the Nigerian police from the divisional headquarters.
While the policemen were in the market, Igbere TV learnt that some angry youths descended on the vehicle that brought the SARS men, breaking its windscreen and deflating the tyres to prevent any attempt to escape.
“The armed men were taken out of the market to avoid further provocations from the youths,” an eyewitness further told Igbere TV.
The Niger State Police Spokesman, DSP Muhammad Abubakar, who confirmed the report, said investigation showed that the men were from Lagos State police command, and on a “special assignment” in Niger State.
