The #EndBadGovernance protests, which began as a call for better governance across Nigeria, have taken a violent turn in Kano State, leaving a trail of looted businesses and devastated communities.
One of the most shocking incidents was the looting of a charity food store established by Mariya Dantata, the mother of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. The store, which had been a beacon of hope for the less privileged, was ransacked by hoodlums, alongside other businesses and properties in the city.
The protests, which started on August 1, 2024, quickly escalated into widespread chaos in various states. Although the initial aim was to demand reduced costs of governance, lower prices for essential goods, and improved security, the demonstrations were soon hijacked by criminals. In Kano, this resulted in the looting of both government and private establishments, including shopping centers, the Nigerian Communication Commission’s (NCC) yet-to-be-commissioned facility, and the headquarters of the state’s High Court.
In the Sarari area of Dala Local Government, where Mrs. Dantata’s charity food store is located, residents recounted how armed looters invaded the store. Kanzillahi Nasiru, a local resident, described the scene: “The looters arrived with dangerous weapons and headed straight to the store. They chased away the guards and dismantled the CCTV camera before helping themselves to bags of sugar, flour, maize, and millet.” Nasiru noted that the looters were able to operate freely because the local youth had joined the protests in the city.
Another resident, Abdulsalam Muhammad, shared his experience, saying, “When I heard noise outside, I saw people lamenting that the food store had been looted. There was nothing we could do because the looters were armed. We just watched them leave with the stolen items before the police arrived.”
The looting of the food store has caused distress among residents who had benefited from Mrs. Dantata’s charity for over three decades. “She has been feeding the needy with cooked food every day, yet she was not spared,” Muhammad lamented.
The violence also affected other businesses in Kano. Barakat Stores, a popular shopping center, was heavily looted. Muhammad Sani, an official of the store, estimated the losses at N5 billion. He explained that the looters overpowered security officials and targeted their central store, which housed newly arrived goods from China and Turkey. “They looted 1,000 cartons of vegetable oil, among other items, and destroyed our new distribution van worth N15 million,” Sani said. He did, however, commend security agents for recovering some of the stolen items.
In another incident, a charity Qur’anic school in Gandun Albasa, established by Shehu Sagagi, Chief of Staff to Governor Abba Yusuf, was also targeted. The school, which caters to orphans and less privileged children, saw its food store looted. Concerned parents have urged Sagagi not to close the school despite the damage. “If the school closes, my children won’t have anywhere else to go,” one mother said.
Responding to the attack, Sagagi vowed not to be discouraged, despite accusations from political opponents that he was hoarding rice meant for palliatives. He clarified that the food stored at the school was from his farm and donations, not government palliatives. “These children have a right to be fed. This school has existed long before this administration, and I will continue to support it,” he stated.
The violence extended to the Kano State High Court, where rioters broke into the court’s store, stealing exhibits from ongoing cases, including money and guns. A senior court official, who spoke anonymously, revealed that official and private vehicles parked on the premises were also set on fire or vandalized. “They destroyed case files and scattered everything in the building. The damage is extensive,” the official said.
The aftermath of the #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano has left many counting their losses and grappling with the destruction of businesses and institutions that served the community. As investigations continue, the affected individuals and organizations hope for justice and a return to peace.