Katsina: 2 killed as security forces clash with youths

Two people were killed and three others injured following a clash between security operatives and youths at Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters in Katsina metropolis, Katsina State. The incident reportedly began last Friday when police operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout in the area and arrested a suspected drug peddler, identified as Uzairu, popularly known as Kuda. […]

Two people were killed and three others injured following a clash between security operatives and youths at Sabuwar Unguwa Quarters in Katsina metropolis, Katsina State.

The incident reportedly began last Friday when police operatives raided a suspected criminal hideout in the area and arrested a suspected drug peddler, identified as Uzairu, popularly known as Kuda. He was said to have been found in possession of illicit drugs and a weapon.

Witnesses said the suspect resisted arrest and raised an alarm, attracting his associates who attacked the police team. During the confrontation, a police vehicle was damaged and an officer sustained injuries.

In the course of the struggle, Kuda allegedly attempted to disarm a police officer and was shot and later confirmed dead in a hospital.

Tension escalated later on Saturday during the suspect’s burial, which reportedly turned violent. Miscreants, locally known as Kauraye, set ablaze a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) outpost and attempted to torch a police outpost in the area.

Security reinforcements were swiftly deployed and the situation was brought under control. However, stray bullets hit two persons during the chaos, killing one and injuring another.

Residents of Sabuwar Unguwa, including Gadar Nayalli Canada Quarters and areas around Sabuwar Unguwa Primary School, described the incident as disturbing and indicative of deepening moral and social decay in the community. They accused some parents of negligence, alleging that many youths were allowed to engage in drug abuse and associated freely with notorious miscreants who had allegedly terrorised the area for decades.

In response to the incident, security operatives intensified patrols in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the Katsina State Police Command has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and appealed to the public to remain calm.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident,” said the spokesperson of the command, Abubakar Aliyu Sadiq.

He urged residents to support and cooperate with the police as investigations continued, while also advising parents to monitor their children closely to prevent them from falling into criminal activities.