A VIOLENT clash between security operatives and protesters defying a government-imposed curfew has left several people feared dead and many others injured in Kano.
The unrest erupted during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance demonstrations in the state.
Eyewitnesses reported that at least eight people, including women and children, were shot in the confrontation that occurred in the Rijiyar Lemo area.
An elderly woman and three others are confirmed dead, with many others sustaining serious injuries.
“At least eight people were shot in our area, including females and children. An elderly woman is now dead alongside three others, while many have sustained serious injuries,” recounted a witness who saw the incident unfold.
When contacted, the police spokesman in the state, SP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the incident but said “we are still gathering information at the moment and will release the full details of what happened once the investigation is complete”.
Also, Kano Commissioner of Information, Baba Dantiye, confirmed that people died at Kofar Nasawa and Kurna as a result of clash between protesters and the police.
The trouble reportedly began when security forces attempted to disperse youths who had gathered in defiance of the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Kano State Government.
The protesters, brandishing placards, had gathered at Mandawari, Kofar Kwaru, and parts of the Nasarawa area of Kano, chanting slogans such as, “We would rather be killed by a bullet than killed by hunger.”
The protest, which started peacefully on Thursday, spiralled into violence. Hoodlums were said to have attempted to loot shops, including a Rufaida yoghurt outlet, but were dispersed by security agents.
Some public and private properties across Kano were attacked. Notably, the newly built Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Industrial Park was set ablaze, with looters making away with desktop computers, chairs, keyboards, and other appliances from the facility.
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf had imposed a 24-hour curfew in response to the deteriorating security situation, aiming to restore order in the state. However, the defiance of the curfew has led to further clashes.
