Protests Erupt in Daura, Demonstrators Target Former President Buhari’s Residence

On Thursday, tensions escalated in Daura, Katsina State, as angry protesters gathered outside the residence of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The demonstrators, part of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests sweeping across the nation, expressed their frustration with Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions.

The protest, which has led to violence and fatalities in several states, has prompted at least three governors to impose curfews. In Daura, the situation became particularly volatile as the crowd attempted to breach Buhari’s residence, voicing their dissatisfaction with the current state of the economy.

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Eyewitnesses reported that the protesters set up bonfires in front of Buhari’s house while chanting slogans. “They were chanting loudly, ‘Bama yi! Bama yi! Bama yi!’—a Hausa phrase meaning ‘we don’t want,’” a witness told reporters.

The tense situation saw a momentary de-escalation when an unidentified individual emerged from Buhari’s residence to address the crowd. The person asked the protesters to select a representative to speak on their behalf, with the assurance that their message would be conveyed to the former President.

Following this intervention, the protesters shifted their focus to the palace of the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk.

Reports indicate that security forces fired on one protester, injuring him in the leg, but the demonstration persisted despite efforts to disperse the crowd.

A local resident described the scene, saying, “I was at work organizing an event for our students when the protest began. The protesters targeted the residences of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Emir of Daura, and Magajin Garin Daura.

On my way home, I noticed minor damage to the residence of Alhaji Musa Uba, the Magajin Gari, who was reportedly opposed to the protest.”

The resident added that security forces have since secured the Emir’s palace, with the army and police maintaining order. “For now, Daura is calm,” the resident concluded.