From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, yesterday, attributed hunger protest which took a twist in the state on Monday, to external influences and forces.
The protesters marched through the city’s major streets, waving the Russian flags and destroying property in some areas of the state.
The development forced the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan cities.
However, while assessing the security situation, yesterday, the governor expressed concern for the innocent residents affected, including those who could not earn a living or go to the market due to the curfew.
Governor Sani cited the involvement of children aged 9 to 14 waving flags of another country, saying it was the influence of external forces.
According to him, it is a deliberate attempt to create anarchy, taking advantage of the psychology of the children and the cultural closeness to neighbouring countries like Niger Republic.
Sani dismissed the notion that the protests were about bad governance or hunger, suggesting that initial genuine protesters were hijacked by sponsored elements exploiting uneducated and underage children.
He commended the security forces for their professional handling of the situation, allowing underage children to climb on police vehicles without resorting to force.
“An investigation into the matter is ongoing. The sad aspect of what has happened is that a whole lot of innocent people are now at home. These are people who are supposed to come out and earn their own living.
“When you see, particularly when you see children within the ages of nine, 10 and 14 now raising the flag of another country, you will agree with me that it is well designed, sponsored by some elements who are calling for anarchy in their own country.
“So, as far as I am concerned, the protest has nothing to do with bad governance or hunger or anything.Those that came out a few days ago were sponsored by some people who took advantage of the fact that most of the children are not even educated and of course, they are underage.
“I want to commend the security for managing the situation because if you noticed what happened, some of the children are even climbing the Armour Personnel Carrier van of the police which showed that the police are very understanding.
“They (police) acted professionally for them to even allow the children because they realised those children were underage. We are investigating the situation,” Governor Sani said.