Protests: Kaduna, Zaria boil; over N700bn lost in 5 days — ASBON, KACCIMA

The nationwide protest against hunger in the country turned riotous in Kaduna and Zaria yesterday, compelling the state government to declare a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

Aside from Kaduna, the protest also continued in Lagos, Abuja, Jos, Benin, Kano, and Zamfara, despite President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast on Sunday.

Meanwhile, losses to the economy have been estimated at over N700 billion in the first five days of protest against hardship, and while N600 billion was recorded in Lagos, Kano lost over N100 billion, the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, ASBON, and Kano Chamber of Commerce and Industry, KACCIMA, declared yesterday.

Miscreants hijack protest, loot shops in Kaduna

Miscreants and other criminal elements hijacked the protest in Kaduna, unleashing terror on unsuspecting citizens by breaking into shops and snatching cell phones.

One of the miscreants in Kawo area of Kaduna North, met his waterloo as a mob beat him to stupor before handing him to security operatives.

The hoodlums also stopped vehicles going in and out of the state capital from the Zaria road axis, molested passengers and forcibly seized phones and other valuables, while brandishing dangerous weapons.

A procession of the protesters, comprising mainly youths, children and women, and hoisting the flag of Russia, moved from Kawo to join other protesters and tried to occupy the NEPA roundabout in the heart of the city.

They were subsequently, dispersed by security operatives when the miscreants among them started burgling shops and looting.

Soldiers drafted, hoodlums overpower security operatives, curfew imposed.

Meanwhile, there was heavy fight between miscreants in Tudun Wada, Kaduna and the security operatives as the youths continued to emerge in large numbers, destroying properties and looting shops.

It was the intervention of the military that restored sanity in the area, even though the hoodlums had reportedly taken over an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, earlier deployed to the area to scare them away.

Before the military arrived, hundreds of miscreants hauled stones and other objects at a commercial bank near the polytechnic, vandalised staff cars and stole valuables.

Activities came to an abrupt end in the area as customers and other workers were seen scampering for their lives in Tudun Wada, which was tensed before curfew was imposed and soldiers deployed to area.

The police had earlier, warned that anyone found vandalising or looting shops, would not be considered a protester but criminal.

The Police had arrested a number of persons who were supplying the protesters with Russian flags and other offensive items used during the protest.

In Zaria, about 75 km from Kaduna, the situation was tense as there was massive looting by the hoodlums but security operatives were able to contain the situation.

“Two hoodlums who tried to assault a security operative at the Danmagaji area in Zaria, were feared dead,” a source told journalists.

In an interview, a commissioner in Zamfara State, Alhaji Haidara, said just like in Kaduna, the protesters in Gusau also hoisted the Russian flag.

He said: “Some of the protesters, especially the children, do not even know the implication of what they were doing. They don’t even know the Russian flag given to them.”

However, a protester, who craved anonymity, said they were trying to attract the attention of Russia by waving the flag, so President Putin could come to their aid.

“Since the West like America and UK abandoned us and are conniving with the government to worsen our plight, we are now seeking the attention of Russia to come to our aid, just as was done in Niger Republic and other countries in the Sahel,” he said.

Meanwhile, there was calm in Kaduna, Zaria and environs at press time as the state government imposed a dusk to dawn curfew to stop further destruction and looting by the hoodlums.

Businesses in Kano incurred over N100bn losses — KACCIMA

Similarly, the former Deputy President, Kano State Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture, KACCIMA, Usman Darma, said losses incurred in the state within the five days of the protest was well over N100 billion.

He said: “70 per cent in the state are into commerce and business, while 25 per cent of neighbouring African countries trade with Kano.

“With the current situation, businesses have been shut down. Kano State is the worst hit. So, aside from looting and vandalism of properties, the state incurred losses of over N100 billion minimum within the five days.’’

Similarly, the President of Nigeria’s largest grain market, Dawanau, Muntaka Isa, put the losses incurred by the market from the commencement of the protest till date at over N2 billion.

Recovering from protests’ll be difficult —Abuja Chamber of Commerce

In the same vein, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ACCI, said yesterday it would be difficult to recover from losses suffered by businesses in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, as a result of the ongoing protest.

The Director-General of the chamber, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, said although the financial figures of losses had not yet been put together, it ran into hundreds of million of naira.

He said: “The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has experienced significant financial losses due to the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, with costs running into hundreds of millions of naira.

“The demonstrations led to the shutdown of major business areas, such as markets and shopping malls in the city and were marred by attacks from hoodlums, resulting in extensive property damage, looting of closed shops, and increased security expenses.

“Particularly, affected were businesses in Lugbe axis and Mararaba area of Abuja, which reported incidents of vandalism and looting by miscreants.”

Jideani, who expressed concern over the substantial losses incurred, added: “The cost of repairing the damage in the affected areas will place a significant burden on business owners, especially given the current challenges to business growth. Recovering from this setback will be difficult.’’
He said ACCI had taken a proactive stance before the protests, with its President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, issuing a statement urging calm and vigilance.

“Chief Obegolu’s statement was a call for restraint and caution, aiming to protect the business community, which often becomes a target during protests,” he added.

While highlighting the significant disruptions caused to the business community in Abuja, Jideani said “businesses, ranging from small local shops to larger corporations, were forced to halt operations, leading to a substantial loss of revenue.

“The decline in customer turnout, coupled with the costs associated with security and repairs, has raised major concerns among local entrepreneurs.”

Federal offices deserted as protesters remain unyielding in Abuja