The Kaduna State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna metropolis and Zaria as well as their environs, as the #EndBadGovernance protests which entered the 5th day turned violent leading to massive looting and vandalism, Arise TV reports.
Arise TV, quoting Samuel Aruwan, the Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, stated that the state security council decided to impose the curfew after reviewing the ongoing protest, which has been hijacked by criminals adding that measure aims to prevent further breakdown in law and order has been put in place.
Aruwan stated that there is ample evidence showing that criminal elements have taken over the protest, leading to looting and the destruction of both private and public property, adding that the state government has advised citizens to stay indoors while security forces work to maintain safety and security.
Protesters in Kaduna took to the streets as part of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstration, demanding an end to economic hardship in the country but what initially started as a peaceful protest later morphed into violence with many shops looted.
The demonstrators marched from the Stadium roundabout along Constitution Road in the state capital, with other groups gathering at Ungwan Sarki Ali Akilu Road. They carried placards with various messages, including “Remove Fuel Subsidy Now.”
The hoodlums who joined the protests started looting government and private buildings around Nepa Junction at the roundabout, taking advantage of the unrest to cart away generating sets, roofing sheets, office chairs, security doors, and other items.
Security forces intervened, preventing the protesters from moving beyond the NEPA roundabout. Surprisingly, among the protesters were minors as young as five years old.
