Hardship in Nigeria: Kaduna non-indigenes condemn planned protest

Non-indigenes in Kaduna State have cried out over the looming consequences of the planned nationwide protest against the increasing cost of living and economic hardship in the country.

They alleged that hoodlums hiding under the protest would loot their shops, market and business premises across the state.

The members of the Kaduna Non-Indigenes Forum, particularly the Igbo traders, said they decided to withdraw from the protest, because of past experiences in which once there was any demonstration or crisis situation in the state, the target was usually market stalls and business areas with extensive looting of food items; electronics and valuables.

According to a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Chief Emeke Emmanuel Okafor and Secretary, Mr Adewale Peter Adelanwa, the Forum urged the citizens to shun the directive to embark on the planned protest, considering the fact that the Police Command in State recently banned all forms of unlawful protests.

Expressing concerns over the possibility of violence, citing past instances where similar protests in the State had degenerated into an escalated crisis, the forum called on the state government to deploy armed security operatives to red zones or identify flash points to secure lives and properties.

It described Kaduna as a volatile state, with non-indigenes most hit and suffering huge losses of lives and property during any crisis period over the years, adding that they can’t afford to lose anyone and valuables.

“It is our desire that, considering the past crisis experiences and strong possibilities of hoodlums hijacking the peaceful process, we strongly advise against any form of protest in Kaduna for now .We want to categorically state that we are part of the people facing the economic hardship, but we cannot afford to lose our hard earned investments and properties at this critical period, when Nigerians are currently battling one of the country’s worst inflation and economic crisis sparked by the government’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows.”

“There was a report where the United Nations (UN) department of safety and security warned that the planned protests in Nigeria may be hijacked by groups with ulterior motives, hence our decision to appeal to citizens against joining the protest action,” the Forum added.