Kaduna Protest Against Poor Governance Turns Deadly: 3 Youths Killed and Multiple Injured
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
4 minutes read. Updated 3:12PM GMT Thurs, 1August, 2024
A once-peaceful demonstration against poor governance in Kaduna descended into violence on Thursday, leaving at least three youths dead and numerous others injured. The clash has raised concerns about the escalating tensions and the response of security forces in the region.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest began with a large group of youths and unemployed individuals marching from the Rigasa and Abakwa areas towards the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the official residence and office of Kaduna State’s Governor. The demonstrators, who were reportedly unarmed and carrying only placards, initially moved in a peaceful manner. However, the situation quickly deteriorated.
A protester who requested anonymity described the sequence of events: “We were marching peacefully and carrying no offensive weapons. The large number of protesters seemed to have intimidated the security operatives. Suddenly, a vehicle from the Government House, known for dispersing crowds with hot water, approached us at high speed and began spraying us. Another security vehicle then arrived rapidly from the 44 Reference Hospital end.”
The protester continued, “In the ensuing chaos, as we tried to escape from the security vehicles, three of our members were struck and died. We were unarmed, simply carrying placards and chanting against bad governance.”
Reports indicate that the Kaduna State Traffic Agency (KASTLEA) office was vandalized during the unrest. The violence led to the closure of major streets in Kaduna, with many shops and markets shutting down due to fears of further violence. Combat-ready police and other security personnel were deployed to key areas to prevent further incidents.
The local population reacted with panic buying of food and essentials in anticipation of prolonged unrest. Schools and vocational training institutions were also closed as a precaution. As of now, there has been no official response from the police, although a statement clarified that 2,500 personnel were deployed, correcting an earlier report of 25,000.
The protest highlights the growing dissatisfaction among Kaduna residents and the challenges faced by the state government in addressing grievances related to governance and security.
For further information on this developing story, visit Kaduna State News and Local Updates on Kaduna Protests.
