As the nationwide protests continue across Nigeria, some residents of Katsina, under the umbrella of a group, ‘Struggling for Good Governance,’ have urged President Bola Tinubu to address the problems of insecurity and poverty.

The protesters, under the leadership of Habibu Ruma, converged on Thursday at the Government House Roundabout, Modoji-Katsina.

Mr Ruma, in his speech, said the protest aimed to address some critical issues that have long plagued the nation, affecting the quality of life, economic stability, and governance.

According to Mr Ruma, the youths are also demanding the enhancement of border security to prevent the influx of illegal arms and also to combat human trafficking.

Other demands of the protesters from the government are to end economic hardship, promote economic diversification to reduce reliance on a single sector and create more job opportunities.

Meanwhile, the nationwide protests against the current economic hardship have crippled socio-economic activities in some parts of Katsina as security personnel escorted protesters.

Some motor parks and major supermarkets have remained closed in the Katsina central market. Though banks were operating, not every customer was allowed entry, tas there was heavy security at the banks’ premises.

The majority of the small traders in the metropolis have also closed their shops for safety reasons. Vehicular movements were also reduced drastically as few commercial motorcyclists and cars moved around the city to convey passengers from one place to another.

Most filling stations have opened and are selling fuel to customers.

Security agents were deployed to strategic places, while others patrolled the town to curtail the possible breakdown of law and order.

Reports from other local governments like Daura, Malumfashi, Funtua and Kankia indicated that people were going for their normal legitimate activities.

Others have, however, remained at home for fear of what could follow up during the protests. However, most filling stations and banks were opened for business.

Some residents interviewed lamented the hardship and urged the state and the federal government to hasten measures to address it.

Nura Musa, a trader, advised the protests’ organisers to take them off because of the impact they could create.

Also, some protesters in their large numbers trying to gain access into the Government House, Katsina were spread with teargas by the security operatives around the area.

The protesters were trying to access the government house, where many security operatives were strategically placed.

(NAN)