Violent protest: ‘Our losses are monumental’

RESIDENTS of Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State, are still counting their losses following the violence that rocked the town on Monday during the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest.

The protesters had broken into shops, stores and other places to loot items belonging to the residents.

Some of the victims lamented the situation, saying that it had sent them backwards economically as they would have to start all over again.

Mrs EbunOluwa is a food vendor who operates at the Federal Low-Cost area of Azare. She lost her items when the miscreants stormed the area during the violent protest.

“We were here on Monday when we heard that the protest had turned violent in the town. As we were trying to pack up, some miscreants came and looted our items. They stole everything,” she said, calling on the government to help her and other victims.

Another victim, Na’omi Samson Ibrahim, sold cooked and roasted corns before miscreants stormed her area and attacked her business.

“I don’t know what to do because my capital has been stolen by the protesters who came here, drove us away and looted the items we were selling to make a living,” she said.

The mother-of-four called on the government to support victims of the attacks and help them to start over.

Malam Sule Shehu, who owned a kiosk in Azare Market, said his wares and those of others were looted by the violent protesters.

According to him, the violent protesters took them by surprise as the zone was known for its peaceful nature. Like others, Shehu called on the government to look into the situation and assist them as they have no other livelihoods.

Baba Bamidele, a retired military personnel, condemned the violent protest, describing it as retrogressive.

According to him, the violence that attended the protest was uncalled for and the authorities must ensure that violence does not become a recurrent feature of public demonstrations.

Bamidele agreed that things were hard for the common man on the street as the cost of living has soared, but he disagreed with violence. He said funds that should be used to cushion the hardship in the land would now be used to fix property destroyed across the country.

Another resident of Federal Low-Cost called on the Federal Government to look into the demands of the protesters to prevent escalation and further losses. “The losses are monumental,” he said.

A young man lamented that he lost his mobile phone accessories business to looters who he described as jobless and criminal-minded youths.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, on Thursday, paid an on-the-spot visit to Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area, to assess the extent of damage caused by the violent protesters.

The governor condemned the destruction caused to public and private property by rampaging youths who embarked on the violent protest in the area on Monday.

Mohammed, who took time to visit all the places affected, expressed dismay, saying the violence caused a monumental loss to government and the individuals affected.

Among the places destroyed are Government House Annex, the house of a former deputy governor, Katagum council area secretariat and an Islamiya.

In his remark at the palace of the Emir of Katagum, Umar Farouk II, the governor stated that the protest was necessitated by the failure of the government at all levels to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens.

The governor sympathised with the emir and assured him that his administration would continue to be alert to its responsibilities in terms of providing adequate security cover for the citizens.

He also announced the relaxing of the 24-hour curfew imposed on the local government, saying the curfew was now effective from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. until the security situation improves.

The governor added: “As leaders, we have heard the voices of the masses and collectively we will address the various needs.”

He added that government would engage in sensitization messages on the need to live in peace and harmony with one another.

The state Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed, who briefed stakeholders on the situation, said no life was lost during the protest.

He commended the governor for his support for security agencies in the state.

In a remark, Alhaji Umar Farouk II appreciated the governor for his concern and for making the time to see things for himself.

He also commended security agencies for acting promptly and professionally to prevent the protest from escalating and requested for more security presence in the area.

READ ALSO: NANS gives Federal Poly Ede 10 days to reinstate expelled students