In Kaduna and Zaria, nationwide protests against hunger turned violent, leading the state government to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew. The unrest spread to other cities including Lagos, Abuja, and Kano, despite President Bola Tinubu’s recent address. The economic toll of the protests has exceeded N700 billion within five days, with major losses reported in Lagos and Kano.
The protests in Kaduna saw miscreants hijacking demonstrations, leading to looting and destruction. In the chaos, a mob intervened to subdue a miscreant, while hoodlums blocked roads and attacked vehicles. Security forces struggled to control the situation until military intervention restored some order.
In Zaria, looting by hoodlums continued but was partially contained by security operatives. In Zamfara, protesters waved Russian flags, hoping to attract international attention amidst claims of Western abandonment. Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy clarified that the flags were not an official gesture.
Amidst ongoing unrest, businesses in affected areas face significant losses, and recovery appears challenging. The Abuja Chamber of Commerce reported hundreds of millions in losses, while Kano's businesses suffered over N100 billion in damages. Protests persist as demonstrators demand action from the government, with additional arrests made for distributing Russian flags.
