Violence Erupts In Kaduna As Protesters Set KASTLEA Office Ablaze, Loot Properties

The hunger protest in Kaduna has escalated into violence, with a large group of protesters setting fire to the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA) headquarters.

Initially peaceful, the protest took a violent turn as hundreds of protesters marched from Kaduna Government House back to Ahmedu Bello Way via Sokoto Road.

During the chaos, protesters looted the KASTLEA headquarters and nearby private residences.

The situation was confirmed by Aruwan, the Overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.

Meanwhile, an eyewitnesses who spoke to the Vanguard said the crowd of mostly young and unemployed protesters overwhelmed the security forces as they marched from the Rigasa area and Abakwa end toward the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the state governor’s official residence and office.

A surviving protester, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “We were marching peacefully without any weapons. Our numbers seemed to threaten the security personnel near the Government House. Suddenly, a vehicle used for spraying hot water on protesters rushed towards us from the Government House direction and sprayed us. Another security vehicle then approached quickly from the 44 Reference Hospital side.”

Amid the ensuing chaos, the protester explained, “As we scrambled to escape being hit by the security vehicles, three of our peaceful protesters were struck and killed. None of us carried weapons; we only had placards and chanted slogans against bad governance.”

In response to the violence, major streets in the state capital became deserted, and businesses, including markets and shops, closed out of fear that hoodlums might exploit the situation.

Security forces, including combat-ready police, were deployed at potential hotspots to prevent further incidents.

Residents, many of whom had panic-bought food and essentials the previous day, stayed indoors, closely following updates on local radio and television. Schools and vocational training centers also remained closed.

At press time, the police had not issued an official response, although they clarified that the number of personnel deployed was 2,500, not the previously reported 25,000.

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