The ongoing nationwide protests in Kano, aimed at addressing economic hardships, have escalated into violence and vandalism. What began as peaceful demonstrations against high living costs have devolved into chaos, with mobs attacking businesses and government buildings across the city.
Hoodlums have seized the opportunity to steal from stores and offices during the chaos. They were observed robbing homes and taking important things including laptops, chairs, and other machinery.
As protesters tried to burn the state governor’s office on fire, the situation got worse. To break up the crowd, the police retaliated by firing tear gas. Security personnel used tear gas on protesters in Mararaba and other outlying regions of the capital, Abuja.
The force’s public relations officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated on behalf of Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, cautioning against the risks associated with violent protests. He underlined the importance of upholding law and order, particularly as the country gets ready for more organized protests.
The violence has also impacted government initiatives. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Digital Economy, expressed his disappointment over the destruction of the Digital Innovation Park in Kano.
Expected to become operational next week, the park was to create employment for the young by lining up technological support. Tijani complained of this development, saying that the building, which would also be used for hosting educational programs for school children, was ransacked, and burnt down.
He referred to it as a loss in terms of the money that went down the drain and its effect on the government’s attempt to generate employment.
The events in Kano show how angry people are becoming about Nigeria’s economic situation, but they also show how dangerous it is for protests to turn violent and destructive.
