Protesters smash vehicles at Niger Government House

Protesters from Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State yesterday smashed more than 10 vehicles at the Government House in Minna over an appointment made by the state government.

The protest was said to have been triggered by the recent appointment by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of a former commissioner as a Senior Special Assistant on Local Government Affairs.

A faction against the former commissioner had staged a protest march to the government house before they were countered by those loyal to the former commissioner.

The fracas resulted in a traffic gridlock along the road leading to the Government House, with some motorists abandoning their vehicles on the main road and scampering to safety, as the two factions hauled stones at each other.

The Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Niger State Police Command, ASP Mohammed Inna Abubakar, confirmed the incident, saying “Some miscreants wanted to cause trouble in front of the Government House but were dispersed by the police.”

Our correspondent observed that some of the smashed vehicles have been taken to the GRA police station, while some persons have also been arrested over the clash.

However, the PPRO declined comment on the number of arrests, insisting that investigation into the matter has commenced.

Gov. Ibrahim Gaiam of Yobe State (middle) with Damaturu’s International Cargo Airport Project Director Aminu Abubakar Suleiman (right), Yobe Works Commissioner Lawan Shettima Ali (second left) and the state’s Commissioner for Housing Bukar Dauda (first...