There has been a lull in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states as the nationwide protests against hunger got underway.

In the three states, the situation was however peaceful.

It was observed that government and private offices, banks, markets, eateries, shopping centres and other commercial premises were closed.

It was also learnt that some of the traders were seen keeping vigil near their shops and market stalls, to guard any untoward act.

While banks and PoS outlets remained closed, some customers were seen withdrawing money from some ATM machines.

In the same vein, vehicular movements remained unusually low in the three states.

It was observed that brisk businesses thrive in neighbourhoods of Nararyi, Barnawa, Television, Sabo in Kaduna city amidst concerns of the nationwide protest.

Although major shops especially those along the main roads were remained closed, smaller shop owners in parts of Nararyi, Barnawa and Sabo areas opened for business.

Commercial tricycles and motorcycle operators were seen conveying passengers, while cars could hardly be sighted.

The residents in the respective areas have been going about their normal business with some youths playing football at school sports grounds and on some streets

Also, the presence of security agents was observed in the areas and other parts of the three states.

Also, Zaria metropolis has been calm, with major markets remaining closed and shops.

Other business premises along major streets in Zaria were also shut down..

However, businesses at the popular and ever- busy P.Z Area and Kofar Doka were closed as at the time of filing this report.

Similarly, police and other security agencies were deployed at strategic locations within the metropolis.

Most importantly, all the places earlier announced in the social media as converging points of the protests remained empty.

However, being Zaria a link to other Northern states such as Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kano, among others, passengers were seen stranded at the Kwangila flyover.

Meanwhile, there was no sign of any protest in Kafanchan as the residents went about their normal activities.

However, there was heavy security presence in and around the town.

Some of the residents, who spoke, said they were afraid to come out and protest over fear of the demonstration turning violent.

In a related development, some residents of Kaduna South and Chikun Local Government Areas on Thursday said they wanted to come out for the protest but were scared of the government’s response.

Some of them expressed fear over what the outcome would be from the security agencies.

A resident, Ayuba Bako, said the residents were indoors because they were scared and there was no coordination from the organisers.

“We would have loved to come out and protest against bad governance and hunger in the land but we are scared because of what the outcome will be just like the #EndSARS protest. The protest has been hijacked and it is not going to hold due to fear, “Bako said.

Mrs Maria Dogo

housewife, Maria Dogo, said people were not really connected to the protest in Kaduna because they were scared.

She said, “CSOs and others withdrew themselves so as to see that the protest does not hold. We want the government to intervene because the citizens are hungry and angry. The protest is peaceful but we don’t trust the security agencies. It is our right to protest by expressing our grievances and not to be denied. The government rolled out interventions but sharing rice is not a solution and can never be.”

Mrs Dogo said that good governance was needed not food items, adding, “the government should bring back fuel subsidies and not food.  After all, not everyone will get the rice.”

Meanwhile, the police command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said so far reports reaching them were positive, with no breakdown of law and order.

The police spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, said that security measures put in place were working perfectly.

Mr Hassan called on the residents to come out and do their lawful business without any fear.

Also, the NSCDC spokesperson, SC Habeeb Badamasi, said so far, no recorded cases of breakdown of law and order.

Mr Badamasi said, “Our men are on strategic locations especially on critical national assets for protection.”

He urged the residents to be law-abiding and not to take the law into their hands.

In Kinkinau area of Kaduna South Local Government Area, shops were partially opened although the streets were empty.

In Kano, the residents, mostly underage children, took to the streets to demand action against poverty and hunger.

The demonstrators, who were seen on major highways in the metropolis, chanted slogans.

They included:  “We are in poverty, Mr President, address poverty and things will be better for well-meaning Nigerians.”

According to Isa Abubakar, a resident of Sharada quarters, the combination of poverty and unemployment is threatening the nation’s corporate existence.

He urged the President to reverse the decision on fuel subsidy, an action he believed would lead to a decrease in food prices.

Other residents, including Yau Ibrahim and Musa, shared their struggles with hunger and the lack of food for their families. However, not all the residents supported the demonstration.

A shop owner, Abdullah Yakubu, locked his shop and warned his children not to participate, believing that the protest would not bring about positive change.

The security agencies including police, civil defence, and military personnel were deployed to major roads and intersections to maintain security and prevent any potential threats.

The protest highlights the growing concerns about poverty and hunger in Nigeria, with many of the citizens calling for government action to address the pressing issues.

(NAN)