Protests marred Buhari’s visit in Katsina with chants of ‘Bamuyi, Bamuyi’

Some residents of Katsina state on Thursday expressed anger over the naira redesign policy during President Muhammad Buharı’s visit to the state.

The residents staged the protest at Kofar Kaura, Kofar Kwaya and on Yahaya Madaki way in Katsina, saying the economic policy of the government is not working.

The protesters lit bonfire and threw stones and other items at some government vehicles.

The protesters said they were displeased over fuel scarcity, inflation and insecurity.

An eyewitness said that immediately the president left Kofar Kaura, some youths who were shouting “Bamayi” began to burn tyres and pelt stones at some security agents who fired teargas in response.

“My name is Mustapha Muhammad Boss. What happened was after President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the underpass, some youths which we don’t know where they came from, begin to chant ‘Bamuyi’, stoning security operative and branded APC’ vehicles as well as setting tyres on fire.

“That is why as you can see, we decided to close our shops for safety. This act is improper and condemnable, because it is affecting those that have nothing to do either with the visit or the party,” he said.

Read Also:JUST IN: Reps threaten warrant of arrest on Emefiele

However, as at the time of filing this report, the security personnel had dispersed the protesters with tear gas and normalcy returned.

Responding to a question put forward to the Police spokesperson in Katsina, SP Gambo Isah, on the incident on a Police/Media WhatsApp platform, he denied the occurrence of the protest.

“The president was not booed at and there was no protest at all. Katsina state people came out in mass, welcomed and celebrated the arrival of the President,” he said

However, the Chief of staff to the Katsina state governor, Bature Masari, said it was in response to the high-handedness of the security agencies against the crowd that went to welcome the President.

“It was a problem between the crowd and the security agents that prevented them from reaching the spot where the commissioning took place and that was even after Mr president has left for another location,” he said.

DAILY TRUST