The nationwide protest against hunger in the country has reportedly experienced incidents of violence in Kaduna and Zaria yesterday, prompting the state government to declare a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Apart from Kaduna, the protest also continued in Lagos, Abuja, Jos, Benin, Kano, and Zamfara, despite President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide address on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the economic losses have been estimated at over ₦700 billion in the first five days of the protest against hardship, with ₦600 billion recorded in Lagos and Kano losing over ₦100 billion, as declared by the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) and the Kano Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KACCIMA) yesterday.
According to reports, hoodlums hijacked the protest, looting shops and unleashing terror on unsuspecting citizens by breaking into shops and snatching mobile phones. One of them in the Kawo area of Kaduna North met his downfall as a mob beat him unconscious before handing him over to the security operatives.
The hoodlums also stopped vehicles going in and out of the state capital from the Zaria road axis, assaulted passengers, and forcibly seized phones and other valuables, while brandishing dangerous weapons.
The situation in Kaduna has escalated, with protesters from Kawo attempting to occupy the NEPA roundabout in the city center.
However, the protest was disrupted by security operatives when some of the participants engaged in looting and vandalism of shops. This led to the deployment of soldiers to the area.
In Tudun Wada, there were reports of heavy clashes between security forces and a large number of youths, who were destroying properties and looting shops.
The intervention of the military was necessary to restore order, even though the hoodlums had managed to take control of an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) earlier deployed to the area. Before the arrival of the military, hundreds of violent protesters attacked a commercial bank near the polytechnic, throwing stones and other objects, vandalizing staff cars, and stealing valuables.
As a result, the area was under tension, and a curfew was imposed, leading to the deployment of soldiers to the Tudun Wada area. The situation has caused significant disruption and unrest in the city, with the authorities taking measures to maintain law and order.
