#EndBadGovernance Protest: Katsina Govt Bans Protests, ‘Unusual Gatherings’, Imposes Curfew
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Abdullahi Garba Faskari, Acting Governor Malam Faruk Jobe, also prohibited unusual gatherings and all forms of protest across the state.
The Katsina State Government on Thursday announced a ban on protests and an imposition of 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. curfew in 33 local government areas and a 24-hour curfew in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Abdullahi Garba Faskari, Acting Governor Malam Faruk Jobe, also prohibited unusual gatherings and all forms of protest across the state.
The decision followed an Emergency State Security Council meeting prompted by reports of law and order disruptions due to the ongoing nationwide hunger protests.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abdullahi Yar’adua, the state government received reports that some individuals had hijacked the protests, leading to shop break-ins, looting, and vandalism of public and private properties.
The statement noted that to protect lives and property, the state government has deemed these measures necessary.
The Acting Governor had previously met with a group of Civil Society Organisations holding a peaceful demonstration at the Government House, assuring them that their messages would be forwarded to the relevant authorities.
Residents are urged to remain calm and law-abiding, as security agencies have been instructed to arrest anyone violating these orders.
The Acting Governor also appealed to the public to continue their legitimate activities during the designated free movement periods.
SaharaReporters had reported that the nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria on Thursday, August 1, in Katsina turned violent when police operatives teargassed the protesters.
https://saharareporters.com/2024/08/01/endbadgovernance-hoodlums-katsina-burn-nscdc-vehicle-after-police-teargass-protesters#google_vignette
The police operatives’ actions sparked a violent backlash from the protesters, who responded by rioting, torching an operational vehicle belonging to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and engaging in looting.
It was gathered that violence erupted when different protest groups converged at the Modoji Road roundabout near Government House, Katsina, and attempted to force their way into the premises to meet the Acting Governor but were resisted by security operatives.
The violence led to several protesters and three policemen sustaining injuries.
SaharaReporters also reported that some protesters who were in their numbers, joined the #EndBadGovernance nationwide demonstration, trooped to the residence of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, his hometown in Katsina State, as tension built up in the area.
The mob which attempted to break into the residence of the former number one citizen said they were fed up with the economic situation of the country.
Some angry youths also reportedly headed for the palace of the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk.
One of them was reportedly shot in the leg by security operatives who were trying to disperse them.
