Police arrest 15 suspects after Azare youth clash injures 10

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 15 suspects following a violent clash between rival youth groups in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area, which left at least 10 people seriously injured.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, prompted the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, to visit the affected community on Tuesday for an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation.

According to the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, the police received a distress call at about 12:15 am on July 5 from a resident reporting a violent confrontation between youths from the Tsakuwa and Matsango areas of Azare.

He said police patrol teams were immediately deployed to the scene, where the rioters were dispersed using minimal force, preventing the violence from escalating.

“Preliminary findings revealed that about 10 persons from both groups sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the Federal University Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Azare, for medical treatment,” the statement said.

Habib disclosed that 15 suspects had been arrested in connection with the disturbance, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

During his visit, the police commissioner led a team of senior officers to inspect the affected communities, assess the command’s response and engage with community leaders.

Aliyu commended the Area Commander in Azare, the Divisional Police Officer, operatives of the Police Mobile Force, the Violent Crime Response Unit, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other security outfits for their swift intervention, which he said prevented further destruction of property and possible loss of lives.

The CP also visited the injured victims at the hospital before paying a courtesy visit to the Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Umar Faruq II.

The monarch commended the police for their prompt response and pledged the emirate’s support in identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the violence.

Aliyu directed sustained 24-hour patrols and surveillance in the affected areas to prevent any reprisal attacks, ordering a discreet investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the clash, with a view to arresting and prosecuting the ringleaders.

He urged parents, community and religious leaders, as well as youth groups, to embrace dialogue and discourage violence, warning that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

The police said normalcy was gradually returning to the area, assuring residents that security had been strengthened and advising them to continue their lawful activities without fear.