A Former Country Director of Action Aid, Ene Obi has described how the initial tranquility in Kano End Governance protest became violent. She stated how the protesters visited the government house and met with the governor. She however noted that as they exited the government house they were suddenly attacked by hoodlums.
She raised concerns about the police’s conspicuous absence during the attack, questioning the law enforcement response in Kano. She noted that the police allegedly claimed that since the governor sided with the protesters, he should be responsible for their protection. While contrasting the situation in Kano with other parts of the country, she noted that protests elsewhere were managed more effectively by the police.
She said in an interview with AIT From 17:32, “‘When you move to Kano where you have some of the crisis, you discovered that the environment was at first peaceful. And some of the protesters even went into the government house to see the governor. After the governor spoke to the protesters, they were attacked on their way out from the government house. And so violence started from there and so many of them were wounded. The anger went on rampage.
But the question then was where were the police? What is happening in Kano State is what we need to look at. Is this because it’s not the government of the day that is occupying the governorship position? Some of the comment that we got from our team on ground is quite unfortunate to hear. The police said since the governor sided with the protesters, he should protect them. The policemen stood there looking at the protesters when they were attacked by the Hoodlums. In some of the places where protest were held in the country, it was handled so well when it became violent and the police were seen throwing tear gas. Why were there no tear gas thrown in Kano state?”….Sêe_Morē