Protests turned violent in Katsina as youths, outraged by economic hardships, set ablaze a vehicle belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and vandalized public properties worth millions of Naira.
Escalating Unrest in Katsina
The incident occurred when a group of protesters took to the streets, following a demonstration by the “Struggle for Good Governance” group. After the first group concluded its peaceful protest, another wave of demonstrators continued, leading to chaos. The unrest escalated when they encountered an immobile NSCDC vehicle, which had broken down during a patrol.
NSCDC spokesman, Buhari Hamisu, reported that the vehicle was left immobile on the road due to a mechanical fault. When the protesters arrived and found the vehicle, they set it on fire before fleeing the scene. The situation quickly spiraled out of control as the protesters continued their rampage, damaging public infrastructure, including streetlights, drainages, and culverts across various parts of Katsina metropolis.
Hamisu explained that the protesters not only torched the NSCDC vehicle but also removed cables and accessories from streetlights. They damaged several drainages and culverts, removing the rods and causing significant damage to the city’s infrastructure. The actions of the protesters have left parts of Katsina city in disrepair, with public properties believed to be worth millions of Naira destroyed.
Government Response and Appeal for Peace
In response to the violence, the acting Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Faruq Jobe, addressed journalists, expressing satisfaction with the overall peaceful nature of the protests compared to other states. He attributed the relative calm to proactive government engagement with relevant stakeholders.
Governor Jobe urged parents to counsel their children against participating in violent activities. He commended the residents of Katsina for their orderly conduct and appealed for continued peaceful coexistence. Jobe emphasized that the government’s commitment to dialogue and engagement with the community played a crucial role in maintaining a level of order during the protests. He called on all citizens to uphold peace and work towards the development of the state.
Jobe further appealed to parents to counsel their children to stay away from any form of violence in the state. He commended the people of Katsina for conducting themselves in an orderly manner and called on them to sustain this behavior. He emphasized that the government’s efforts in engaging with the community and relevant stakeholders helped to keep the protests largely peaceful, despite the isolated incidents of violence.
Calls for Prayer and Peace
The acting governor emphasized the importance of prayers for the state’s peace and development, coinciding with the annual day dedicated to such observances. He encouraged citizens to intensify their prayers for the state’s and nation’s stability and progress. Jobe highlighted the significance of the day, urging people to pray for the peace and development of Katsina State and the country as a whole.
Jobe also praised the efforts of security agencies in managing the situation and preventing further escalation. He called for continued cooperation between the public and security forces to ensure safety and order in the state. The acting governor reiterated the government’s dedication to addressing the root causes of the economic hardship that sparked the protests and assured citizens that measures were being taken to improve the situation.
Despite the chaos, Jobe maintained that the government’s commitment to dialogue and engagement with the community played a crucial role in maintaining a level of order during the protests. The administration continues to appeal for calm and responsible behavior from all residents.
Source: Punch
