Non- indigenes of Kaduna resident in the State expressed concern over the planned nationwide protest slated to start on August 1.
The non-indigenes are alleging that hoodlums hiding under the protest would loot their shops, destroy their markets and business premises across the State.
This was stated by members of the Kaduna Non Indigenes Forum.
The group stated that they decided to withdraw from the protest, because of past experiences in the State. They maintained that once there was any protest action or crisis situation in the State, the non-indigenes are the target.
The Forum said “usually market stalls and business areas of non-indigenes are always visited with extensive looting of food items, electronics and valuables .
The Forum disclosed this in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Chief Emeka Emmanuel Okafor and Secretary, Adewale Peter Adelanwa.
They, therefore, urged the citizens to shun the directive to embark on the planned protest.
This is considering the fact that the Police Command in State recently banned all forms of unlawful protests.
“It is our hope that citizens in the State will remain law abiding in this regard,” the Forum added.
The Forum, therefore, called on Kaduna State Government to deploy armed security operatives to red zones or identified flash points to secure lives and property.
The Forum described Kaduna as a volatile State with non-indigenes mostly at the receiving end. They maintained that non-indigenes are always badly hit and suffer huge loss of lives and property during any crisis period over the years.
They, therefore, added that they can’t afford to lose anyone and valuables any more.
“It is our desire that considering the past crisis experiences and strong possibilities of hoodlums hijacking the peaceful process, we strongly advise against any form of protest in Kaduna for now.
“We want to categorically state that we are part of the people facing the economic hardship. But we cannot afford to lose our hard earned investments and property at this critical period. When Nigerians are currently battling one of the country’s worst inflation. And economic crisis sparked by the Government’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows.”
“There was a report where the United Nations (UN) Department of Safety and Security warned that the planned protests in Nigeria may be hijacked by groups with ulterior motives. Hence our decision to appeal to citizens against joining the protest action.”
“There is no how the “10 days of rage,” starting from August 1 to 10 will address the country’s soaring cost of living and economic hardship. Instead it will cause more hardship,” the Forum stated.
source: Vanguard
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U
