Four teenagers and a bride-to-be were reportedly killed by security agents during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano and Zaria. Among the victims was 18-year-old Isma’il Muhammad, who was shot by a soldier in Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The protests, which began on Thursday, August 1, have seen numerous casualties allegedly at the hands of security operatives. In Kano, incidents occurred at Kofar Nassarawa, Kurnar Asabe, and Rijiyar Lemo.
One of the victims, Abdulkadir Labaran Babah Alfindiki, was killed at Kofar Nassarawa. His mother, Aisha Isah Babah, recounted to Daily Trust, “He left home for his business place. Worried that he didn’t come for lunch, I became uncomfortable. I did not call him nor did I talk to anybody about my worries. Little did I know that he was killed.” She expressed her grief, noting that he was an orphan and she felt powerless to seek justice for him.
Maryam Sani, the mother of 15-year-old Kashifu Abdullahi Gyaranya, who also died during the protest, said, “As he was leaving home, I asked him where he was going, and he said he was going to see his friends. I warned him not to join the protest. He said he wouldn’t, but later, I was informed that he was killed.”
Firdausi Muhammad, a bride-to-be, was reportedly killed by a stray bullet from a police rifle in Rijiyar Lemo during the Saturday protest. She was set to marry the following week. Umar Abubakar Hausawa was also said to have been killed by a police stray bullet at Kofar Nassarawa the same day. His brother, Rabiu Abubakar, shared, “He went to call our younger brothers back from the protest, but he met his untimely death there.”
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, explained that the police were trying to maintain law and order in Rijiyar Lemo when youths attempted to overpower them. He noted that the youths, defying a state-imposed curfew, tried to loot shops, prompting the police to disperse them. The situation escalated when the youths turned violent, throwing stones at the police.
The police have launched an investigation into the incidents. In the case of 18-year-old Isma’il Muhammad, it was reported that he was playing with friends outside his house when soldiers approached. They ran inside and shut the gate, but Muhammad was still shot by a soldier.
His mother, Zainab Sani, demanded justice for her son. Major General M.L.D. Saraso, GOC 1 Division, visited the family to offer condolences and assured that the incident would be thoroughly investigated. He encouraged the community to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
READ ALSO: #EndBadGovernance Protest: Soldier Kills Teenager In Zaria During Curfew
