Group Seeks Release Of Detained ‘Innocent’ Protesters In Katsina

A group, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has called on security operatives in Katsina State to release those it called innocent protesters that were arrested during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests that later turned violent in the state.

Deputy State Coordinator of the Coalition, Abdullahi Kabir, made the plea while addressing a press conference in the state where he blamed government’s inaction for the escalation of the protests despite the advance notice issued for the government to act.

Kabir also condemned in strongest terms, the barbaric and uncivilised behaviour exhibited by some youths in the name of the nationwide protests, lamenting the level of vandalisation of government and private properties and structures worth millions of Naira by the protests in Katsina, Daura and Dutsin-ma towns.

Adding that such losses and damages could have been avoided if the government had addressed the grievances of the people prior to the protest, the group called on security agencies to also act professionally in the discharge of their duties.

While urging government to take responsibility for its inaction and address the economic hardship affecting the people, the coalition maintained that Nigerians are living in hunger and cannot survive the situation for long.

The group also expressed dismay over the display of foreign flags by some protesters in some states, describing it as disrespect for the integrity of the nation.