Angry protesters burn Buhari, Masari billboard over bandits killings

Some angry protesters took to the streets in Yantumaki town, Damusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, on Tuesday and burnt down a campaign billboard of the All Progressives Congress with the pictures of the President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Aminu Masari.

The burnt billboard is along the highway leading to the town.

The protesters bemoaned the level of insecurity in Yantumaki town and neighbouring communities, making reference to the kidnap of a health worker, Alhaji Mansir Yusuf, and his daughter by bandits around 1am on Tuesday.

Also, on Monday, the district head of the area, Atiku Maidabino, was killed by unidentified gunmen at his palace.

Some eyewitnesses said the protesters barricaded the Katsina/Kankara highway and set bonfires along the road leading to the town, a situation that forced scores of motorists plying the highway to turn back.

The protesters, who moved from one end of the town to the other, chanted anti-government songs in Hausa and demanded improved security of lives and property.

Though policemen were seen trying to restore normalcy, the atmosphere in the town was tense on Tuesday.

It was learnt that the Commissioner of Police in Katsina, Sanusi Buba, ordered the Area Commander for  Dutsinma, Aminu Dayi to relocate to Yantumaki.

The spokesman for the command, SP Gambo Isah, said, “We are monitoring the situation and our men are firmly on the ground controlling the situation to ensure that the protesters do not take the law into their own hands as miscreants can take over the situation and start looting or burning property.

“The command and indeed other security agencies are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure those responsible for the two recent crimes (the killing of the district head and Tuesday abduction) are brought to book.

“The CP has detailed Area Commander Dutsinma to relocate to Yantumaki as more senior officers are deployed in the area to take care of the situation.”