Curfew Imposed in Nigerian State Kano Amidst Violent Protests Over Cost of Living
A curfew has been enforced in Kano, Nigeria’s second-largest state, following protests over the high cost of living that were “hijacked by thugs,” leading to extensive looting and property damage, according to the governor’s office.
Kano experienced the highest turnout on the initial day of nationwide demonstrations, causing numerous businesses to close.
Protesters in major cities rallied in the streets, chanting phrases like “We are hungry.”
In Kano City, police used live ammunition, tear gas, and hot water to disperse thousands of protesters. Four individuals were injured and hospitalized.
Protesters had previously set tires on fire in front of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s residence.
Looters also broke into a nearby warehouse, taking away 25-litre cartons of cooking oil and mattresses.
The curfew aims to halt ongoing protests, requiring all residents to stay indoors.
The 2006 census recorded Kano state’s population at 9.4 million, with current estimates suggesting around 20 million.
The 10-day protests, organized via social media, were inspired by recent successful demonstrations in Kenya that led to the government scrapping a tax hike.
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Mr. Yusuf’s spokesperson stated that while the protests were initially peaceful in Kano, the curfew was necessary to “restore order and ensure community safety” due to “widespread looting, property damage, and violence” by “thugs.”
On Wednesday night, a court decreed that protesters in Abuja should remain at the National Stadium on the city’s outskirts.
However, demonstrators gathered at the stadium gate on Thursday morning, chanting “End bad governance” and eventually moved toward the city center.
This prompted police to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowd, affecting traffic.
Security forces were stationed at key locations in the capital and surrounding towns, where even banks were closed.
In Lagos, Nigeria’s economic center, protesters chanted “ole,” meaning “thief” in Yoruba, targeting President Bola Tinubu and his administration.
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Many are upset over President Tinubu’s immediate removal of a fuel subsidy during his inauguration in May 2023, which led to a spike in fuel prices and affected other goods.
“Top on our demand is the subsidy removal. The government should reverse that decision,” Abuja protester Abiodun Sanusi told the BBC.
Protesters are also calling for extensive reforms to Nigeria’s electoral system and judiciary.
Before the protests, the government had urged Nigerians to refrain from demonstrations and give the president time for his policies to take effect.
Lagos protester Kingsley Uadiale rejected this, stating, “Hunger is the reason why we’re all here. You can’t beat a baby and ask the baby not to cry.”
He argued that if the administration wanted patience, it should set an example.
“You can’t tell us to be patient and you’re acquiring a private jet,” he added, referring to plans to buy new planes worth millions for Mr. Tinubu and his deputy Kashim Shettima.
Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, another activist in Lagos, stated that the protest aimed to reverse the price increases on essential goods.
“If they don’t yield, we will continue to protest,” she told the BBC.
Curfew Imposed in Nigerian State Kano Amidst Violent Protests Over Cost of Living
