In Katsina metropolis, youths protesting economic hardship set fire to a vehicle belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and vandalized public properties estimated to be worth millions of naira.
The protests, organized by a group called “Struggle for Good Governance,” saw the youths moving through the city’s streets in the afternoon.
NSCDC spokesperson Buhari Hamisu explained that the vehicle had broken down during a patrol and was abandoned on the road. When the protesters arrived, they set the vehicle ablaze before fleeing the scene.
The rampage continued with the destruction of street lights, including the removal of cables and other components, as well as damage to drainages and culverts throughout the metropolis.
Acting Governor Faruq Jobe addressed journalists on Thursday, noting that while Katsina state has seen peaceful protests, other regions have experienced more violence.
He commended the state’s orderly conduct, attributing it to effective stakeholder engagement.
Jobe urged parents to discourage their children from engaging in violence and praised residents for their calm behavior.
He also highlighted that the day coincided with an annual observance for the peace and development of the state and called for ongoing prayers for peaceful coexistence in both the state and the nation.
Prior to the briefing, a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) presented a letter to President Bola Tinubu through the acting governor. The coalition’s chairman, Abdulrahman Abdullahi, emphasized their commitment to expressing their demands in a civil manner rather than through street protests.
Abdullahi said that part of their demands was that the federal government should consider the return of the fuel subsidy, and also adopt more non-kinetic actions to end insecurity in the state.
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