Hunger protest: Kaduna warns criminals against violence, destruction

The Kaduna State Security Council has warned that criminal elements masquerading as protesters will not be spared, following a review of the current security situation in the state.

In a statement on Saturday, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the Council announced that unverified processions were prohibited due to public safety and security concerns in the state.

The move, the statement noted, comes after intelligence revealed that criminals were using genuine protests as a cover to unleash terror and loot properties, with the aim of plunging the state into chaos and anarchy.

It added that the council recognized citizens’ fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly but emphasized that security forces would not permit criminals to take advantage of these rights.

The council urged citizens to observe the 6 pm to 8 am curfew and report any suspicious activity to the Security Operations Room, adding that the development was seen as a bid to maintain law and order in the state, following recent incidents of violence and unrest.

The council assured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and properties and vowed to take decisive action against anyone found perpetrating violence or criminality across the state.

The statement read, “The Kaduna State Security Council, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, has reviewed the present security situation arising from the existing 6 pm to 8 am curfew, and other issues pertaining to public safety.

“Based on this review, the Security Council hereby announces that criminal elements disguising as protesters, with the intent to generate unrest in the state, will not be spared.

“The Kaduna State Security Council recognizes the fundamental rights of citizens to freedom of expression, lawful assembly and other constitutional rights enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“Nevertheless, the security forces cannot permit a situation wherein criminals masquerade as protesters to loot and vandalize public and private properties and unleash terror on innocent citizens, as experienced on the 1st and 5th of August 2024.

“Processions not verified and cleared by security agencies therefore remain prohibited in light of the public security considerations highlighted.”

It added, “The ugly events of 1st and 5th August 2024 are clear indicators that criminals are pursuing an agenda to plunge the state into chaos, and are ready to camouflage these designs with otherwise genuine protests.

“Available intelligence from the reviewed period also shows the grim focus of these forces in herding children and impressionable individuals into their dark schemes.

“The consequences of these plans, if allowed to flourish, are better imagined.

“The Kaduna State Government and security forces will not stand by and allow an anti-state agenda to run unchecked. It bears reiterating that criminals masquerading as protesters will not be permitted to wreak havoc.

“Finally, citizens are enjoined to continue to observe the 6 pm to 8 am curfew and report any incendiary activity to the Security Operations Room on 09034000060; 08170189999.”

PUNCH Online reports that the protesters regrouped and marched through the city’s major streets, waving Russian flags.

The development forced the state government to slam a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria Metropolitan cities on Monday.

However, the 24-hour curfew was reviewed to take effect from 6 pm to 8 am daily to allow citizens to move freely and carry out their legitimate activities.