Police arrest 107 over poll violence in N. Nigeria
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The police in northern Nigeria's Katsina state has arrested 107 suspects involved in the post-election violence that engulfed six local governments in the state, state commissioner of police Ibrahim Mohammed said on Wednesday.
He said a total of 15 churches were burnt down by the protesters and that properties mostly belonging to supporters of the ruling party as well as non indigenes were affected.
Mohamed said 42 inmates escaped from a prison in Funtua when the protesters stormed the place and scared away the prison officers.
He said four people died in the area as they were burnt in their homes by the protesters.
The police boss said the suspects would be taken to court and charged for various violent offenses committed.
He told reporters that the arrests would be ongoing, and that the police is trying to apprehend those behind the protests.
Meanwhile, indignant youths unhappy with outcome of the country's presidential result have stormed the streets of Katsina state, burning private homes belonging to supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They also burnt secretariats belonging to the ruling party, razed shops and houses where corps members lodged, as well as burned goods in shops belonging to non indigenes.
Six local governments were affected, including Funtua, Malunfashi, Danja, Kankara, Kafur and Daura.
The youths, numbering in their hundreds, began in Danja before spreading to other parts of the state.
Retired army general Muhammadu Buhari had battled President Goodluck Jonathan for the presidential seat, but the election result had favored the incumbent president, a situation that did not go down well with Buhari's supporters in the north.
Buhari contested on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change while Jonathan contested on the platform of the ruling party.
Dusk till dawn curfew was announced by the state governor, Ibrahim Shema on Tuesday.
He said the protesters were miscreants who were out to destroy the peace the state is enjoying, and assured that security had been beefed to check more protests.
He said the perpetrators or their sponsors would be made to face the law, and that the non indigenes should be assured of their safety in the state.
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