The Nigerian Army has revealed it has arrested “a group of hoodlums causing mayhem, extorting money and threatening the lives of innocent citizens” in Sokoto,
Maj. Clement Abiade, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, made this known to Igbere TV on Saturday in Sokoto.
Igbere TV gathered that the seven suspects were apprehended at the Kalambaina and Federal Government College junction in Sokoto on Wednesday.
Abiade said that the suspects, who were in two vehicles were intercepted and found to be in possession of dangerous weapons.
He added that the suspects were allegedly seen throwing stones indiscriminately while chanting political slogans.
According to him, they obstructed the free flow of vehicular traffic and attempted to cause a breakdown of law and order.
He said that although soldiers arrested some of the suspects, many others fled the scene of the incident.
The spokesman gave the names of the suspects as Auwalu Shehu, Muritala Garba, Jamilu Bello, Abubakar Aliyu, Musa Abubakar, Zayyanu Aliyu, and Bashir Sarkinfawa.
“A group of miscreants and thugs along Kalambaina area blocked roads throwing stones and harassing passerby.
“The troops on routine patrol for the safety and serenity of the metropolitan ran into a groups of hoodlums causing
mayhem, extorting and threatening the lives of innocent citizens,”
According to him, the exercise is part of Egwu Eke III, Python Dance inaugurated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai to strengthen internal security.
He said that developments in the area made it imperative for the army to activate Operation Python Dance in the states that make up the North West zone of the country with the deployment of troops in all areas of operation.
Nigerian last week announced the commencement of Python Dance 3 in south east and other regions and warned agitators and political thugs to stare clear.
