Protests over hunger in Kaduna have turned violent, with demonstrators setting the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA) headquarters on fire. What began as a peaceful protest escalated as hundreds of protesters marched from the Kaduna Government House to Ahmedu Bello Way via Sokoto Road, resulting in the looting of the KASTLEA office and nearby private homes.
Aruwan, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, confirmed the unrest. Eyewitnesses reported that a large group of mostly young, unemployed protesters overwhelmed security forces as they marched from Rigasa and Abakwa towards the governor’s residence.
An anonymous protester described how their peaceful march was disrupted when security vehicles sprayed them with hot water, leading to three deaths among the protesters. The crowd, which carried placards and chanted slogans against bad governance, had no weapons.
The violence caused major streets to empty, with businesses and markets closing in fear of further disturbances. Security forces, including police, were deployed to hotspots to curb the violence. Residents, who had stockpiled essentials, stayed indoors while schools and vocational centers closed.
The police have not yet issued an official statement but corrected the number of deployed personnel to 2,500, contrary to earlier reports of 25,000.
News Editor