By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

 Following the violent clash  between security operatives and protesters near the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House Kaduna on Thursday, the Kaduna State Police Command has barricaded the road leading to the Government House on Friday and increased security presence in the area.

Spokesperson of the Kaduna Command,ASP  Mansir Hassan,in a statement, explained that the Command advised groups intending to protest, to liaise with the Commissioner of Police to order to fashion out modalities for a peaceful protest.

“The somewhat peaceful protest has been hijacked by hoodlums who took undue advantage of the so-called faceless sponsors and unleashed their planned mayhem on the state.”

“Consequently, the unruly miscreants attempted to gain access into the Kaduna State Government House before they were resisted by the security personnel at the said location, injured two policemen, broke the glasses of Police armoured personnel carrier stationed at the entrance of the Government House.”

“They subsequently, attacked the office and staff of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA) and torched the former along with adjoining other State Government offices;” he said.

ASP Hassan said the police will not watch miscreants hide under the guise of protest and disrupt peace and order in the state.

Meanwhile, protesters on Friday were not allowed by security operatives to march through the state capital.

They were restricted to their localities and their activities monitored to avoid conflict, or miscreants hijacking the situation to cause further damage to government properties and infrastructure.

Markets  were still empty and other commercial hubsk were still not fully operational due to fear of hoodlums and petty thieves .

Along the western by pass near Rigasa and Unguwar Muazu, security operatives had to use tear gas and  dispersed angry youths who had earlier marched towards the city centre chanting offensive slogans against the government.

Roads within and outside the state capital were still not as they used to, with only some articulated vehicles plying the Kaduna- Abuja highway adorned with fresh leaves as a sign of solidarity with the protesters.