Hoodlums loot shops, burn NSCDC van during protest in Katsina

Some protesters taking part in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria in Daura, Katsina State, on Thursday, made bonfire near the residence of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was as hoodlums in their numbers hijacked the hunger protest in some parts of the state.

Our correspondent gathered that some persons were injured and property destroyed in the process.

In Katsina, the state capital, protesters wielding placards with various inscriptions stormed the Government House to register their grievances.

However, before the arrival of the protesters at the Government House, some hoodlums reportedly hijacked the process, looting shops and vandalising property.

In the Katsina metropolitan area, the protest turned violent as police shoot teargas at the protesters looting and burning of vehicles belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps.

Violence erupted when protesters gathered at the Modoji Road roundabout, near the Government House in Katsina, and attempted to force their way into the premises to meet with the Acting Governor.

However, security forces pushed back against the protesters, who were trying to interrupt an emergency meeting between the Acting Governor, civil society representatives, and members of the media.

Protesting residents made bonfires near the former President’s residence in Daura.

The protesters were chanting in Hausa, “Hunger wants to kill us,” and “We don’t want”.

Efforts to speak to the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, proved abortive at the time of publication.

Similarly, According Online reports that commercial activities in and around Katsina State metropolitan areas were grounded over the protest.

According Online reports that banks, markets, filling stations, motor parks and offices were shut while major roads and streets were deserted, unlike the usual vehicular movements and pedestrians.

Earlier, a leader of the protesters, Umar Jibrin, told journalists that they embarked on the protest for the government to tackle hunger, insecurity and restore fuel subsidy.

He said many Nigerians, especially Northerners, were dying as a result of hunger and insecurity occasioned by the activities of terrorists.

“There are a lot of people who are dying because of hunger and insecurity. We embarked on this protest for the government to address these challenges.

“We are calling on the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to restore fuel subsidy and tackle the issue of naira devaluation,” he said.