Uneasy Calm as Kaduna remains calm in day 2 hunger protests

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Interestingly, Kaduna #endbadgovernance Kaduna Protest day 1 has come and gone, the security situation in the metropolis however remains fluid after Thursday’s protest and attacked on government house, and other government’s agency facilities.

However, a situation reports on selected suburbs and city centres as at Friday 2nd August, 2024, as officially presented for purposes of movement of people, shows that Barnawa remains calm with only few private vehicles seen moving. Security personnel dominate the Barnawa Complex area located in parts of Kaduna South.

In Trikania/Nassarawa areas, there were reported protesters along the use- to- be busy Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway yesterday, despite the huge numbers security presence.

The only threat was reported cases of thugs in Trikania collecting valuables and phones from people. This Friday morning Trikania is calm and Nassarawa is also calm with few vehicles along the express. Expect the rail area to be blocked during prayers today in Trikania, according to official reports.

In Agwa/Kudenda, the threat of any kind of protest here remains very low, but could suffer from spill over of any disturbance along the express if Trikania nor Nassarawa goes south. At Sabon-Tasha, the Sabon-Tasha market area is generally quite but with many stalls close.

Armed security personnel are stationed around the bridge area, and market. Down to refinery junction is generally quite with very little commercial activities visible. Ungwan-Pama, Ungwan-Sunday, Ungwan- Bulus, Ungwan-Boro, Television, and Ungwan-Yelwa are calmed with few pedestrian movement and bikes in their allays.

Badiko/44 Barracks and Hospital/Government House, these was the scene of the police and protesters clash yesterday. Expectedly, heavily armed military and police dominate this area, with a sense of an uneasy calm.

Karatudu and Ungwa Romi, these two adjacent areas are calm. Few pedestrian seen moving around, and motorcycle. Protest probability here is slim.

Others reads in parts: “Tudun-wada/ Ungwan Mu’azu/Kabala West:* This areas remained calm, with very few vehicular activities in them. Any protest around these areas may degenerates into a hijack by thugs and hoodlums. The security presence here is on red alert.

“Gonin/Gora Area, area is relatively calm at Gonin gora market area and people remain indoors, Few shops opened and No vehicular movement at Kaduna – Abuja road ,Ungwan Doma, Buwaya, Ungwan Bije, and Kakau people are going on with their normal activities for now. Heavy military presence along Abuja-Kaduna express way. A scene of many previous protests and attacks on commuters.

Narayi/Karji/Kamazo, from the Narayi area of Kaduna to Karji area dominated by students, and Kamazo, there is no real threat of any protest here for now. The road looks deserted with more pedestrians walking around and few bikes, and private vehicles.

Kawo/Mando, Despite the huge turn out of protesters yesterday, Kawo didn’t witness any disturbance. While Mando was quite. The huge numbers of security formations and barracks here makes rapid response faster in the case of eventualities.

Central Market and Kaduna City Centre, this was an area with huge tension yesterday with thousands of people protesting yet there was no incidence of breakdown of law and order.

Down Quarter/Kakuri/Kurmin Gwari, Calm and no threat of violence with few pedestrians and motor cyclist moving round, and majorly shops located within residential homes opened.

Ungwan-Rimi/ Malali/Kabala Doki, Protesters took to the street of Ungwan-Rimi yesterday around Kaduna State University and Kaduna Polytechnic with no incidence of violence. This morning is calm and empty streets. Only pedestrian movement and flash of private vehicles”, it stated.

The official situation reports however, noted that “Elements of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Shiites, are believed to have joined the protesters and other criminals who coordinated the attacks on Kaduna State Government House and KASTLEA zone 3 office and KADIPA yesterday.

According to the official reports, “Note that the situations reported above can change at any time. You are advised to apply caution in your movements and maintain a situational alertness”.