Protest: Hoodlums vandalise Red Cross office, destroy properties in Yobe

Hoodlums have vandalized the Red Cross office in Gujba, Damaturu, Yobe State, destroying property and setting a vehicle on fire. The attack occurred on Maiduguri-Potiskum Road, in the state capital.

Photos obtained online show the vehicle on fire, as well as another Red Cross-branded Landcruiser and a bus damaged with their windows smashed.

The incident occurred amidst the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria nationwide protest against hardship, but it is unclear if the attack was connected to the demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the military, on Friday, issued a warning to thieves taking advantage of the widespread demonstrations against the current administration to stop destroying lives and property.

It was earlier reported that the Police Command in Yobe announced the arrest of 18 suspects in connection with Thursday’s violent protest and vandalism in Nguru, Potiskum and Gashua towns.

The command’s spokesman, Dungus Abdulkarim, revealed in an interview with newsmen on Friday that the suspects, masquerading as peaceful protesters, had set fire to public buildings and stolen food items and empowerment equipment.

When contacted on Friday, the Coordinator of Communications and Advocacy for the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Chima Nwankwo, confirmed the incident.

“The office was attacked around 1 pm this afternoon. Some of our properties, air conditioners, and vehicles were destroyed and they took some away, burnt our cars but there was no casualty,” he said.

He described the assailants as a “mob” with unclear motivations.

“They simply came to vandalise our property,” he said.

Nwankwo revealed that the authorities have been notified.