Security agencies Thursday in Abuja,the nations capital, have released the organiser of recent protests in Katsina and chairman board of Trustees,Coalition of Northern groups, Ashir Shariff but back home in Katsina arrested several students in his stead.
The arrest of several members of the National Association of Nigerian Students and National Association of Katsina State Students was effected in Katsina on Thursday following a peaceful protest calling for the immediate resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari over the deteriorating security situation in the state.
It was gathered that the release of Sharif was made after intense pressure on government by many Northern groups and elites.
Sharif who was whisked away on Tuesday was seen posing for a picture below after his release.
Spokesperson for the Coalition, Azeez Suleiman thanked all those who mounted pressure on the Buhari government to release Sharif.
Reports from Katsina stated that at least 20 students were arrested and taken away by the police on Thursday.
The students, during the protest, said the Buhari-led administration and Governor Aminu Bello Masari had failed to tackle the bloodletting in the state.
Scores of individuals have been killed by bandits across most parts of Katsina in recent weeks, rendering hundreds of families homeless and resorting to begging for food and water for survival.
Earlier this week, governor of the state, Masari, apologized to the people of Katsina for failing to protect them against bandits that have made their lives a living hell.
-Patmosoline
