At least 439 persons arrested in Kano State, North West Nigeria over their alleged involvement in the ongoing nationwide hunger protests tagged #EndBadGovernance, are to be arraigned for trial in five special mobile courts.
The special courts were constituted on Monday, August 5, by the Chief Judge of Kano State, Hon. Justice Dije Aboki and are to hold sessions at the premises of the State Police Command headquarters amidst the 24hour curfew imposed by Governor Abba Yusuf.
At the commencement of the protests on Thursday, August 1, 75 suspects were arrested by the police as thousands of youths flooded major streets in Kano, looting, vandalizing vehicles and other properties as the protest turned violent.
269 suspects were arrested for allegedly perpetrating violence as well as looting of government and private properties on Friday, August 2, forcing the state government to order a 24hour restriction of human and vehicular movement in a bid to restore law and order.
The police said 95 suspects were further arrested on Saturday, August 3, when protesters in large numbers defied the 24hrs curfew and blocked roads within Kano metropolis, including a road leading to the Government House as well as Katsina road by Kofar Ruwa underpass and attempted to attack Rijiyar Lemo Police station, bringing the total number of suspects arrested within three days of the protest to 439.
Scudnews could not immediately ascertain if the Special Mobile Courts had commenced sitting as of the time of filing this report.
