The police in Kwara State said it has arrested eight people in connection to Thursday morning stoning of Senate President Bukola Saraki and other dignitaries at an eid- el – Kabir praying gorund.

According to the Nation newspaper, the police spokesperson in the state, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the arrests and said investigation was on-going.

“The state police command deployed no fewer than 2000 policemen in synergy with other security agencies to make sure that the eid- el – Kabir celebration is a huge success. It was free in the course of prayers and there was the insurgence of criminals which we put into consideration while planning our security strategy. We know they normally come to beg for money from well-to-do members of the public,” the paper quoted Okansanmi.

“So they came as usual, but we noticed they were becoming unruly and we have to come out to prevent them from where the VIPs were seated. We then chased them away and we arrested about eight of them. They are in our custody and we have started investigation.”

Worshipers were angry that workers’ salaries were not paid before the celebration, claiming that the bailout fund from the federal government had not been judiciously used.

No sooner had the Senate President arrived than they started shouting “Ole! Ole!! Ole!!! (Thief, thief, thief)” and “Ebi n pa wa!” “Ebi yii tito Saraki! A o ki run, e fun wa lounje” (We are hungry, enough of hunger Saraki, give us food),” the Nation reported.

After about 30 minutes of interruption, the eid prayers were able to be observed.

Aside the Senate President, other dignitaries included Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu Gambari; the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Muhammadu Bashir; former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi; etc.