Protest turns violent in Kano amidst curfew

A violent clash between security operatives and protesters defying a government-imposed curfew has left several people feared dead and many others injured in Kano.

The unrest erupted during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, which have been marred by violence, looting, and destruction across the city.

Eyewitnesses reported that at least eight people, including women and children, were shot in the confrontation that occurred in the Rijiyar Lemo area.

An elderly woman and three others are said to have died, with many others sustaining serious injuries.

“At least eight people were shot in our area, including females and children. An elderly woman is now dead alongside three others, while many have sustained serious injuries,” recounted a witness who saw the incident unfold.

“What really happened is, you know the curfew is still in place, so people defied that and came out protesting. That’s when the security operatives swooped into action, trying to disperse them, and in the process, they had to shoot for the clearance operation to be successful.”

The trouble reportedly began when security forces attempted to disperse youths who had gathered in defiance of the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Kano state government. The protesters, brandishing placards, had gathered at Mandawari, Kofar Kwaru, and parts of the Nasarawa area of Kano, chanting slogans such as, “We would rather be killed by a bullet than killed by hunger.”

The protest, which started peacefully, quickly spiraled into violence. Hoodlums were said to have attempted to loot shops, including a Rufaida yoghurt outlet, but were dispersed by security agents.

The situation escalated further on Thursday when the protest turned into widespread violence, leading to attacks on public and private properties across Kano. Notably, the newly built Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Industrial Park was set ablaze, with looters making away with desktop computers, chairs, keyboards, and other appliances from the facility.

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf had imposed a 24-hour curfew in response to the deteriorating security situation, aiming to restore order in the state. However, the defiance of the curfew has led to further clashes and an escalating death toll.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the incident but said, “We are still gathering information at the moment and will release the full details of what happened once the investigation is complete.”

As tensions remain high, residents of Kano are urged to stay indoors and adhere to the curfew to prevent further loss of life.