The #EndBadGovernance protest turned bloody in Kaduna State on Tuesday, after a teenage boy was killed by a soldier in Samaru area of Zaria in the state.
The late Isma’il Muhammad, a 16- year old boy, was said to have been shot by the soldier inside his father’s house, while the security operatives were enforcing the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Kaduna State Government following a violent protest that broke out in Zaria and Kaduna on Monday.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the soldier involved in the killing of the teenager has since been arrested and is undergoing interrogation.
According to him, the incident happened when hoodlums blocked the road, setting fires, and brazenly attempted to attack the troops, prompting a soldier to fire a warning shot to scare the hoodlums away, which unfortunately led to the death of a 16-year-old boy, Isma’il Muhammad.
Saddened by the incident, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja has sent a delegation led by the General Officer Commanding One Division, Major General Lander Saraso to visit and commiserate with the deceased’s family.
The sad incident follows the curfew imposed on the Kaduna and Zaria metropolis by the state government.
The #Endbadgovernance protest took a new twist in the state on Monday, after hoodlums disguised as protesters seized the opportunity to loot both government and private properties.
Some of the protesters were also seen clutching and lifting the Russian flag as they aired their frustration against the current hardship and hunger in the country.
As of Tuesday, our correspondents who went around town said the Sheikh Abubakar Gumi central market in Kaduna State capital was deserted due to the curfew.
Shops, filling stations and markets were also shut as of Tuesday.
On Monday, the Overseeing Commissioner, of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the curfew was a measure taken in the interest of peace.
He said the state governor, Senator Uba Sani, declared the curfew following a meeting he had with the State Security Council.
“There is sufficient evidence to clearly indicate that the ongoing protest has been hijacked by criminal elements who have resorted to looting of shops and destruction of private and public property,” he said.
“In view of this unfortunate development, the Kaduna State Security Council has unanimously resolved to impose a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria Metropolises and environs with immediate effect.
“Citizens are advised to remain indoors while security forces continue to work to maintain safety and security. Monitoring will be sustained for review of the curfew as required.”