A recent protest in Kano State following an Appeal Court verdict that removed Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) resulted in the tragic death of Salisu Rabiu, a footballer, who was shot by police officers dispersing the demonstrators.
This Wednesday's protest marks the fourth since the appellate court's decision on November 17, 2023, which ousted Governor Abba Yusuf and declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the March poll.
Protesters, armed with placards bearing inscriptions like 'Our mandate must be restored,' 'Kano voted for Abba,' and 'Injustice exposed in CTC,' gathered in various locations across the state. Wearing the distinctive red colour associated with the Kwankwasiyya, a socio-religious movement led by the NNPP's 2023 presidential candidate and former Kano governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, the demonstrators chanted solidarity songs to express their dissatisfaction.
Police officers were strategically positioned at different entrances to the state, and the protesters blocked the road leading to Katsina State, causing disruptions to commuters. In response to the incident, Abdullahi Kiyawa, the police spokesman in the state, issued a statement confirming the death of one protester in the Fagge Local Government Area. The statement revealed that a police inspector, acting without command, fired a shot that wounded two individuals, resulting in one fatality during hospital treatment.
The statement also conveyed the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Gumel, instructing Area Commander Dala, ACP Nuhu Digi, to apprehend the erring police inspector. A board of inquiry will be constituted to investigate the incident, and the findings will be communicated to the public. The arrested police inspector is currently in police custody.
Expressing regret over the protester's death, the police offered condolences to the deceased's family. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions and concerns surrounding the political developments in Kano State.
