Youths in Gwari market in Minna, on Thursday, morning disarmed five SARS men who stormed the market over suspicion they were kidnappers.
The incident occurred few days after a kidnappers den was raided by the Police in Bosso area of Niger state.
The traders claimed the armed men, dressed in police uniforms and carrying AK-47 rifles, looked suspicious especially as they tried to ‘kidnap’ a trader without any cogent reason.
The five armed men were said to have stormed the market at about 9.00am where they went straight to the shop of a prominent trader in the market and tried whisking him to the vehicle which bought them.
This attempt to ‘kidnap’ another trader made other traders to raise alarm, which attracted the market youths who mobilised to stop the ‘kidnap’ despite attempts by the armed men to stop them by shooting into the air.
The youths proceeded to lock all the gates leading to the market to prevent the armed men from leaving the market.
Along with the market vigilantes, the youths were able to disarm the officials and took them to the market police station where they were handed over before men of the Paiko road police station arrive the market.
While the police was in the market, some other youths descended on the vehicle which bought the armed men came in, breaking its windscreen and deflating the tyres to prevent any attempt to escape.
The armed men were then taken out of the market to avoid further provocations from the youths.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Muhammad Abubakar, when contacted, confirmed the story saying the armed men had reported to police headquarters where they were confirmed to be policemen from Lagos state on special assignment.
He said he did not know why they are in the state, saying only the SARS officials could define the scope of the ‘special assignment’.
(The Nation)
