What began as a peaceful protest against bad governance in Kaduna turned tragic on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of three youths and several others injured.
The demonstration, which saw a significant turnout of mostly young and unemployed individuals, aimed to draw attention to pressing governance issues in the state.
Eyewitness Accounts
Protesters from the Rigasa and Abakwa areas had gathered to march towards Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the official residence and office of the state governor.
An anonymous survivor described the scene: “We were marching peacefully, and no one was carrying any offensive weapon. I think the security operatives near the Government House were threatened by our large number.”
The situation escalated when a security vehicle equipped for crowd control, reportedly used to spray hot water, approached the demonstrators at high speed.
“Suddenly, a vehicle came speeding towards us and sprayed us with hot water,” the survivor recounted.
“In the confusion, another security vehicle came speeding from the direction of 44 Reference Hospital.”
Casualties and Chaos
In the ensuing chaos, three protesters were struck and killed by the vehicles. The witness emphasized that the demonstrators were unarmed, carrying only placards and chanting slogans against bad governance.
During the unrest, the office of the Kaduna State Traffic Agency (KASTLEA) was damaged by the protesters.
As tension spread, major streets in the state capital emptied, and markets and shops closed in fear of potential violence. Schools and vocational institutions also shut down as a precautionary measure.
Security Response
Security forces, including combat-ready police, were deployed at key locations to prevent further incidents. Many residents, having stocked up on essentials the previous day, remained indoors and followed developments through local media.
The police have yet to issue an official response, apart from clarifying the number of security personnel deployed, which was reported to be 2,500, not the earlier rumored 25,000.
Current Situation
The situation in Kaduna remains tense as citizens await further updates on the fallout from the protest.
The tragic turn of events underscores the volatile nature of the current socio-political climate in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue and effective governance to address the root causes of such unrest.