Planned protest: Kano traders set up ‘special guards’ to prevent looting

A group, Patriotic Elders Forum of Nigeria, has asked the organizers of the planned nationwide protest to shelve the exercise and embrace dialogue.

The call is coming as the Kano business community floated an emergency squad to provide security across markets and business places during the planned nationwide protest.

At a stakeholders meeting with market leaders in Kano on Saturday, National President of the Patriotic Elders, Dr Bature AbdulAziz, and leader of the Kano Business Community, Alhaji Sabi’u Bako, stressed the need to take proactive steps to forestall looting.

AbdulAziz noted that protests do not always provide the required results, noting that most times, it plunges nations into catastrophe and uncertainties.

He said there was a need for the government and the planners of the protest to hold talks towards addressing their concerns.

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During the meeting, a 20 member committee was inaugurated to coordinate the operations of the emergency market safety squad.

Speaking at the meeting, Alhaji Balarabe Tatari, the chairman, Kantin Kwari Market Traders Association, urged youths to desist from engaging in acts capable of disrupting the peaceful atmosphere in Kano State.

Tatari noted that reports making the rounds indicate that the protest will be conducted peacefully.

However, he noted, “It is incumbent on us to provide adequate measures to protect Kano as the center of commerce.”

“We are aware that in such cases, bad elements usually penetrate and turn it into something else by looting and destroying properties.

“I am appealing to the youths to put it at the back of their mind that Kano is their home and any attempt to make it inhabitable would lead to unforseen circumstances.

“Kano is our state and we must work together to ensure that whatever comes up does not disrupt law and order,” he added.

On his part, the Managing Director, Kantin Kwari Textile Market Management Board, Alhaji Hamisu Saadu Dogon Nama, called on traders and other business owners to comply with directives and contribute their quota to the maintenance of law and order.

Similarly, the managing director, Sabon Gari/Galadima and Singa Markets, Alhaji Abdullahi, said, “We have informed our members to come out on the day of the protest to protect our business premises.”