Men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) early morning yesterday stormed Kwarbai area near the palace of Emir of Zazzau in Zaria city and arrested nine people including a 20-year-old girl.
Investigation by Daily Trust revealed that from Monday to yesterday, the JTF had carried out a number of arrests and also engaged in house to house search. Yesterday's operation at a house very close to the Zazzau's palace and the residence of Wazirin Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu, caused serious panic in the city.
When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Command's public relations officer, DSP Aminu Lawal, said there was an ongoing operation in the ancient city to fish out all criminal elements.
"I am sure you are aware of the security challenges facing Zaria and its environs. The operations are targeted at sanitizing the city to rid it of all criminal elements. In raids like these, arrests would be made but all those that have no case to answer would be released after investigation," DSP Lawal said.
However, residents of the city interviewed yesterday said the JTF's operations are taking unpleasant dimension.
"This morning they arrested nine people at their residence, which is very close to the emir's palace. Among them is a staff of the Health Unit of the Zaria local government, students and even a 20-year-old girl. Similarly, they carried out such type of operation at Samaru and Hayin Ojo in Sabon Gari local government.
"On Monday, they conducted a house to house search at Fan Wanki quarters at Kofar Kibo in Zaria city. All these, to our understanding, are attempts to deprive the city of the peace it is enjoying. Even the blasts that occurred recently, those who witnessed them confirmed that the security personnel planted them," resident Sani Bello said.
Also, the Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky-led Islamic Movement yesterday raised alarm over the various arrests that took place in the ancient city of Zaria during the week.
The group, through it spokesperson, Dr. Abdullahi Danladi, said they were concerned as the incessant arrests may be a plot to bounce on some clerics in the city, Zakzaky inclusive.
"Recent happenings in Zaria have stirred questions as to what the Nigerian and US security apparatus are up to. For two consecutive nights, a plane was seen hovering over the residence of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky at about 4am at very low altitude and almost crawling speed, perhaps with the intent of bombing the Sheikh's residence. Reports reaching us from friendly sources indicate that the diffidence situation being feigned in Zaria is to pave way for an unpropitious plan by the US government via their Nigerian mannequins to do away with the revered Sheikh. The report went ahead to reveal that a house to house search will be conducted in some parts of Zaria to serve as prelude to their final assault on Gellesu area where Sheikh Zakzaky resides. They have already mapped out where Hurras (Muslim brothers keeping vigil) are staying and have planned to eliminate them using silenced guns," Danladi said.
Daily Trust