The Department of State Services has arrested the leaders of a nationwide protest against poor governance in Katsina State.

According to Vanguard, Kabir Shehu Yandaki and Habibu Ruma, who led the “Struggle for Good Governance” protest, were invited to the DSS office in Katsina and have since been detained. Mujittapha Usman, who led the protest in Malumfashi Local Government Area, was also arrested.

Friends of the detainees told local media that the DSS contacted Yandaki and Ruma earlier in the morning, asking them to come to the office for questions about the protest held the previous day. Upon arrival at the DSS headquarters, they were detained and have not been released, the source said.

The initially peaceful protest turned violent when a disorderly group, including many minors, gathered in the state capital. They carried sticks and leaves, chanting “Bamuyi Bamuyi,” and damaged public facilities. The protesters burned an NSCDC patrol vehicle and destroyed the All Progressive Congress office in Dutsinma LGA.

In response, the Katsina State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew on Dutsinma Local Government Area and a 7 pm to 7 am curfew on the remaining 34 LGAs of the state.