Peaceful Protest in Kano Was Disrupted by Thugs —Gov. Abba Yusuf

Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, in a video trending on social media, has stated that thugs orchestrated the violence and destruction from the #EndBadGovernance peaceful protest.

The peaceful protest that started in Kano degenerated into a chaotic one, leading to the destruction and stealing of properties in the city, as some suspected hired thugs reportedly hijacked the protests, leading to widespread violence and destruction of properties.

”The peaceful protest began yesterday at Murtala’s house, close to the bridge, and ended with many people, ” he said in Hausa.

They (peaceful protesters) displayed how they had peacefully demonstrated by marching to the government house in an orderly fashion to present their demands to the waiting governor, who promised to take their message like other government officials to the President.

On their way to the government house, protesters were received by security officers. As they were waiting for the governor to come and address them, some hoodlums armed with deadly weapons from Nasarawa House attacked them from behind.

According to the governor, vehicles fully loaded with armed thugs emerged from nowhere, joining the mob towards the government house, where they launched attacks against security personnel.

This was where the confrontation led to a three-hour exchange of teargas between the attackers and the security forces.

The violence spread so fast, and they started looting and setting properties on fire. One of those buildings targeted was the ICT building, which is set to be commissioned next week by the minister. They looted computers, solar systems, tables, and other equipment.

The Chief Judge’s Office and other offices in the complex were equally destroyed, and many valuables were carted away.

At the Government Printing Press, as many as five valuable engines acquired during Audu Bako, the first military governor of Kano State, were destroyed. At the same time, newly procured equipment was also carted away.

A mosque near the printing press was equally sacked, as the hoodlums carted away even the carpets and roofing sheets.

Other targets included residential areas and local shops, where it has been reported that some foodstuffs were stolen and some residents assaulted.

Amidst the violence, the security forces managed to recover some of the items that had been stolen and returned them to their owners, the governor noted.

The governor spoke in the video to confirm that hired thugs had ruptured the peaceful protest. He commended the efforts put in by security agencies to curb violence.

“We want to thank the security men because they went after them, got some of the items back, and returned them to the rightful owners. We commend their effort,” said Governor Yusuf.

“We thank God because the government, with the help of the security agencies, has curtailed the violence and imposed a curfew in the state.”

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the governor also expressed regret that specific individuals, referred to as ‘enemies of the state’, had allegedly hired thugs from within and neighbouring states to infiltrate and disrupt the planned peaceful protest, resulting in chaos and unrest in a state previously known for its tranquillity.

Gov Yusuf had declared a 24-hour curfew across the state; he explained the need to prevent further looting, vandalism, and violence.

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