A curfew has been imposed in Kano, Nigeria’s second-largest state, following protests against the high cost of living, which were “hijacked by thugs” leading to widespread looting and property destruction, according to the governor’s office.
Kano witnessed the largest crowds on the first day of nationwide protests, which resulted in many businesses closing down. Protesters in major cities chanted slogans like “We are hungry.”
In Kano city, police fired live bullets, tear gas, and sprayed hot water to disperse thousands of demonstrators, resulting in four people being wounded and hospitalized.
Earlier, protesters had set tires alight to create a bonfire in front of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s house. Looters broke into a nearby warehouse, carrying away 25-liter cartons of vegetable oil and mattresses.
The curfew mandates that all residents stay home, effectively halting the protests. The last census in 2006 recorded Kano state’s population at 9.4 million, with unofficial estimates now suggesting around 20 million.
These protests, organized via social media and inspired by recent successful protests in Kenya, which led to the government scrapping tax increase plans, were initially peaceful, according to Governor Yusuf’s spokesman.
However, the curfew was declared to “restore order and ensure the safety of our communities” due to “rampant looting, destruction of property, and violence” by “thugs.”
In Abuja, a court ordered that protesters remain at the National Stadium, on the city’s outskirts.
However, on Thursday morning, demonstrators began moving towards the city center, chanting “End bad governance,” prompting police to fire tear gas, which disrupted traffic.
Security forces were strategically deployed within the capital, where banks and other businesses were closed.
In Lagos, protesters shouted “ole,” meaning “thief” in Yoruba, referring to President Bola Tinubu and his government.
Anger has been fueled by President Tinubu’s removal of a fuel subsidy, announced during his May 2023 inauguration speech.
This decision, aimed at reducing government expenditure, caused fuel prices to skyrocket, affecting the cost of other goods.
Abuja protester Abiodun Sanusi told reporters, “Top on our demand is the subsidy removal. The government should reverse that decision.”
Protesters are also calling for comprehensive reforms to the country’s electoral system and judiciary.
Despite the government’s appeal for patience, Lagos protester Kingsley Uadiale said, “Hunger is the reason why we’re all here. You can’t beat a baby and ask the baby not to cry.”
Uadiale criticized the administration’s call for patience, citing plans to buy new planes worth millions of dollars for President Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima.
Activist Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, also protesting in Lagos, stated that the goal of the demonstrations was to reverse the price hikes on essential commodities.
Source-BBC
