Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
Kano
A freelance journalist, Abba Ibrahim Gwale, and 40 activists were injured on Thursday when armed hoodlums attacked #EndInsecurityNow peaceful protest organized by the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG in Kano .
Ibrahim Gwale, a 2016 graduate of mass Communications from Bayero University, Kano was at hand to covered much publicized protests when violence broke out and was matchetted on line of duty.
The protesters carried placards with inscription “Arewa is bleeding,” “EndInsecurityNow,” “No Security, No Education. No Education, No Security,” “End Boko Haram,” “Empower SWAT to stop #EndInsecurityNow,” and “All lives matters,” and “Arewa mu farka,” among others had marched on confidently before the hiccup.
Violence however broke out some 500 meters from take off, when hoodlums pretending to be friendly unleashed terror attack despite police cover.
In the ensuing melee, scores were injured, maimed and displaced as the protest that kicked off from BUK old site general area was promptly abandoned for safety concerns.
Consequently, the injured victims were evacuated to unnamed hospital for treatment at the city centre.
The protesters rank was swelled by handful of some northern artists and celebrities that includes Danladi Maibulala, Adam Abdullahi aka Fresh, Emir aku Mai Magana, Ali Jita and Zainab A. Baba.
But, Dr. Muhammad Bello Nawaila, Convener of the Kano protest told Reporters shortly after the attack that 40 of it members sustained various degrees of injuries when bandits sacked the peaceful protest some 500m from take off point in Kabuga general area.
The convener explained “After about 500 meters, some hoodlums approached us as if they were in support and were trying to give us pure water, and suddenly we saw cutlasses and about 40 of our members were injured.
Speaking further, “They created a chaotic situation, and dispersed us in the ensuing confusion. What surprised us was that in the movement, we got security backing, two patrol vehicles of the police were at the front and two at the back. But in the process of the attack by the hoodlums we could not find the security operatives. It was after we have been injured that the police now resurfaced. “
The tough talking activists stated that despite the attack “We would continue with the protest until President Muhammadu Buhari listen to our calls. If within three days, the #EndSARS protest can lead to SARs ending, we would continue until President Buhari take a bold step and keep Nigeria safe,”
The police in Kano are keeping sealed lip over the development, as Deputy Superintendent of
Police, DSP, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the spokesperson of the Kano State Police Command, failed to respond to calls and SMS to his known GSM lines.