Tensions in Daura as protesters target Buhari’s residence, Emir’s palace

On Thursday, tensions flared in Daura, Katsina State, as a large group of angry protesters gathered at the residence of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The protesters, participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, voiced their frustration with the country’s economic woes.

The protests, which have sparked violence in several states, have resulted in deaths and prompted at least three governors to impose curfews. In Daura, protesters attempted to break into Buhari’s residence, to express their displeasure with the current economic situation.

“They lit a bonfire in front of the former president’s house and shouted loudly,” a witness told reporters by telephone on Thursday.

A video captured young people shouting loudly, while the crowd chanted, “Bama yi! Bama yi! Bama yi!”—a Hausa phrase meaning “we don’t want,” which is commonly used in protests to express disapproval.

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The situation was briefly eased when an unidentified person emerged from Buhari’s residence to address the protesters. The person asked the crowd to elect a representative to speak, promising that a video recording would be shown to the Nigerian leader.

Following this intervention, protesters moved towards the palace of the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk. Reports indicated that security forces opened fire on a protester, injuring him in the leg, but the demonstrations continued despite attempts to disperse the crowd.

A local resident, who did not want to be named, described the incident: “I was at work to organize a speech and prize-giving event for our students when the protest started. I learned that the protesters were going to the residence of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Emir of Daura and Magajin Garin Daura.

“On my way back, I passed by the residence of Alhaji Musa Uba, Magajin Gari, and saw minor damage. He was reportedly against the protests, which may explain why his house was targeted. Protesters threw stones, but the situation was brought under control by security forces. The Emir’s palace is now under the protection of soldiers and police. For now, Daura is calm.”

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