Angry protesters gathered at the residence of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, on Thursday as part of the #EndBadGovernance nationwide demonstration.
The protest turned violent in some states, leading to deaths and prompting at least three governors to declare curfews.
The crowd, expressing frustration over the country’s economic situation, attempted to breach Buhari’s residence, setting up bonfires and chanting loudly.
A witness reported that the protesters set up a bonfire in front of Buhari’s house and chanted in Hausa, “Bama yi!” which means “we don’t want” in English.
An unidentified person from Buhari’s residence intervened, asking the protesters to choose a representative to speak, with the promise of recording the message to be shown to the former President.
The protesters then moved toward the palace of the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk, where one protester was reportedly shot in the leg by security forces trying to disperse the crowd. Despite this, the protesters did not retreat.
A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described the scene: “I was at work organizing a speech and prize event for students when the protest began. I learned that the protesters also targeted the residences of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Emir of Daura, and Magajin Garin Daura. I observed minor damage at the house of Alhaji Musa Uba, the Magajin Gari, who reportedly opposed the protest. The situation was controlled by security forces, and the Emir’s palace is currently guarded by the army and police. Daura is now calm.”
