The nationwide protest against hardship and bad governance took a tragic turn on Thursday in Katsina State as the demonstrators burnt down the All Progressives Party (APC) office in Dutsinma Local Government Area (LGA).
The APC’s flag was also vandalized at the ruling party’s office, while the protesters marched past the ruling party’s office in Katsina LGA. One of the protesters was reportedly killed, and a police officer was injured as the demonstrators clashed with the police.
The protest, which was initially calm, was later infiltrated by different groups carrying sticks and leaves, chanting “Bamuyi Bamuyi.” Among them were many underage individuals, and there were no security agents seen around them.
Around the Katsina State Government House, the protest descended into chaos when a group of hoodlums infiltrated the crowd and began attacking security personnel with stones and other objects, preventing them from entering the government house. This reportedly forced the police to deploy tear gas and water cannons to disperse the unruly mob.
Confirming the reports, the spokesperson for the Katsina Police Command, ASP Sadiq Abubakar, said it is true that the APC office in Dutsinma was set on fire. However, he said the command has not received a report of any protester in the state being killed.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups, representing over 300 organizations in Katsina State, refused to take to the streets but marched to the government house to dialogue and present their demands to the Katsina Acting Governor, Mallam Faruq Lawal Jobe, for onward delivery to President Tinubu.
