Borno - Police Command in Borno on Thursday denied carrying out mass arrest of newspaper vendors in Maiduguri.
The state's Chapter of the Newspapers Vendors' Association had last week accused the police of conducting mass arrest of its members in the state's capital.
However, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Yuguda Abdullahi, said the allegation was not true.
Abdullahi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that the police would not join issues with the association.
He, however, admitted that the police arrested a few vendors found to be operating in dark sports.
``The police is a nuetral body trying to protect lives and properties of ordinary citizens.
``We actually arrested a few vendors operating in some dark sports in Maiduguri for questioning,'' Abdullahi said.
He said the action was taken to prevent unlawful acts in the areas.
``We discovered that some hoodlums were taking advantages of the vendors by snatching handsets and cars in those places.
``We asked them to leave the spots but they refused,'' Abdullahi said.
He said the issue had already been resolved after the vendors agreed to relocate from the sports.
Abdullahi also expressed happiness with the improved security situation in the state capital.
``We thank God for the situation, we also give credit to the people, who gave support by supplying vital information to the police.
``The police and other law enforcement agents cannot achieve anything without the support and cooperation of the people,'' he said.
Abdullahi said he was happy that businesses were beginning to resurface at the capital.
`` The police is the servant of the people, we are here to serve and protect the people and not to harass or intimidate them.
``We are happy that life is gradually picking up in Maiduguri, we hope that the situation will continue until a lasting peace is achieved,'' he said.
NAN