The Nigeria Police has announced the arrest of eight persons over attacks, today at the Ilorin Eid ground, of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki. The Senator, who was at the Eid ground to join other Muslims to observe Eid-el-Kabir two Rakah, was reportedly pelted with stones, sachets of water and other missiles by angry worshipers.
Spokesman for the Kwara State Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, said that no government officials were among the suspects despite the tension and open criticism of the government by its angry workers who have not been paid for months.
He told reporters that over 2,000 policemen had been deployed alongside other security agencies to ensure the success of the Eid- el–Kabir celebration.
“It was free in the course of prayers there was the insurgence of criminals which we put into consideration while planning our security strategy. We know they normally come to beg for money from well to do members of the public.”
“We then chased them away and we arrested about eight of them. They are in our custody and we have started investigation.”
Okasanmi said that the motive for the unruly behavior was unknown, adding that the police regarded those who were arrested as miscreants.
He said the police also learnt that one or two persons were injured, but that there were no official reports of any injuries during the process of arrest. He added that one or two vehicles might have been damaged, but that the police have yet to see any. [myad]
