Protesters Storm Streets Of Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Niger, Over Insecurity

Nothern groups in the north stormed the streets in Kaduna, Bauchi, Niger and Kano States to protest the heightened security challenges facing the North.

Protesters in Kaduna protested peacefully from Waff Road to the Kaduna State House of Assembly Complex demanded an “immediate end to banditry, terrorism, and Kidnappings in Northern Nigeria.”

The youths were spotted with placards and banners with various inscriptions such as: “Stop the killings in the North,” “Empower SWAT to end insecurity,” “End Boko Haram now,” End Banditry Now,” “The North is Bleeding,” and “Stop Rape Now.”

Chief Whip of the Assembly, Hon. Shehu Yunusa, received the protesters.

The coordinator of the protest, Mr. Sa’ad Bako, addressed the Chief Whip, he said the CNG (Coalition of Nothern group) was forced to protest the constant insecurity issue in the North.

They gave instances of the violent attacks on innocent people in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, Adamawa and other northern communities and other disturbances across the North.

“This sadly, has ultimately placed the current federal administration of President Muhammad Buhari and a section of the northern political, cultural and spiritual leadership on the wrong side of public opinion – and history.

“The rise in the spate of banditry, kidnappings, cattle rustling and bloodshed in the North has become a major trying point for everyone but the authorities – who have remained detached from the reality,” Bako said.

The group demanded:

“An immediate and comprehensive improvement of security in the nation, most especially all over Northern Nigeria.

“The federal and state administrations should address major failings in their perception of the current desperate situation and their response to the people’s demands for their rights to security.

“A total overhaul of the leadership of the national security agencies, a review of the entire national security architecture and the national security committees in order to inject higher levels of competence, integrity and accountability in the manner they deal with the security challenges in the nation and particular the North.

“The promulgation of legislation to compel the review of the salary and general incentive packages of all men of the security services.”

The protest in Kano was disrupted by some miscreants and thugs after the protesters protested against the lingering security problems in the North and petrol price and electricity tariff increment, among others.

Many were injured during the Kano protests. Two journalists were attacked by suspected thugs during the peaceful protest tagged #EndInsecurityNow, along the Kabuga to Kofar Famfo area in the metropolis.

The protesting youths carried various inscriptions on the placards written “Arewa is Bleeding,” “Stop the Killings in the North,” “Empower SWAT to Stop Killings, Kidnappings, Rape,” and so on.

Spokesman of Police Command in Kano, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, said they are currently investigating the incidence.

In the press statement signed by the CNG’s spokesman, Mr. Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the group said the protest, which would spread across the North-western region of the country is to show concern over deteriorating national security and other pressing issues.

Youths in Bauchi and Niger States under the aegis of CNG also staged a protest yesterday morning to demand an end to insecurity, poor road infrastructure, and the epileptic power supply in the North.

The protesters visited the government house and the state police command in the two states to deliver their messages to the government.

They also backed the creation of Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) team, saying it is in a better position to tackle various forms of security threats such as killings, banditry, kidnapping, rape, and Boko Haram terror attacks in the region if they are fully equipped and trained.

In Niger State, the protesters decried the poor condition of road infrastructures in the state, which they describe as death traps.

“This peaceful protest is not against any movement, it is not against any government, we are here to only show our grievances that as Nigerians we are not enjoying what we should enjoy,’’ they noted.

They urged the federal government to fix all its roads and address poor power supply in the entire Northern states.

---

Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:

Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.

Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.

Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611