ILORIN, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Kwara state Police Command has arrested eight persons over violence that erupted at prayer ground in Ilorin, the state capital, on Thursday.
Pandemonium broke out when people suspected to be miscreants attempted to disrupt the prayers held to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
It was gathered that the hoodlums attempted to break through a security barrier erected by the police as part of measures to forestall their planned invasion of the VIP section of the prayer ground.
Senate President Bukola Saraki (right) arriving at Eid praying ground in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital on Thursday, 24 Sept 2015
Those at the section included the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and other dignitaries.
Speaking with journalists, on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Ajayi Okasanmi, said that despite the development, the prayers were still held.
“We deployed enough policemen in synergy with other security agencies to make sure the celebration was peaceful, it was free but in the course of prayers, there was this attempt to cause crisis by criminals.
“We know normally they always come there to beg for money from dignitaries and members of the public. So they came as usual and when we noticed that they were becoming unruly, we had to come out to prevent them from gaining access to where the VIPs were standing.
“We learnt that one or two of the personalities were injured but there is no official confirmation yet. Before Monday when investigation is completed, we will know the real situation.
“The motives of their unruly behaviour is yet to be determined but as far as we are concerned, they are miscreants and they were there begging for money. The prayers were eventually held and the dignitaries went back to their homes.
“Among those arrested, there is no civil servant or public official,” he said.
Credit: Tribune (Nigeria)
