Protesters ground Sokoto, Kaduna

By Abdallah el-kurebe & Luka Binniy at Sokoto As the strike embarked upon by organised labour against Federal Government’s increase in petrol pump price began throughout the country yesterday, public and private businesses in Sokoto State were completely put on hold. Vanguard investigations revealed that all public and private offices, shops, markets and restaurants were closed down in the state, just as thousands of youths protested in the Sokoto metropolis chanting anti-subsidy slogans and calling on the Federal Government to respect the wishes of the masses and revert to the former pump price of N65 per litre. It was same in Kaduna State, yesterday, as thousands of protesters marched through major streets denouncing the sudden increase in the price of petrol, warning that revolution was inevitable unless the government reverted to the old price of N65 per litre. They later became riotous, pulling down billboards bearing the photographs of Governor Yakowa and President Goodluck. At about 12 noon yesterday, streets and businesses in most parts of Kaduna metropolis had been closed down. The demonstrators laid siege on Kaduna State Government House at about 1pm, defying warning shots from soldiers and suffocating tear gas fired at them by anti- riot policemen as they tried forcing their way through the gate leading to the official residence and office of Governor Patrick Yakowa. In Sokoto, placard-carrying youths and members of the organised labour threatened to remain on the streets until government rescinded its decision on fuel subsidy removal. However, security operatives patrolled major streets as well as kept guard at strategic places to avert any breakdown of law and order. Speaking to newsmen later, Chairman of state chpater of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Danyaro Tambuwal, expressed satisfaction with the level of participation in the protest in the state. He said: “NLC and its affiliate bodies went round the metropolis to monitor the protest.” ”The officials went round Kangiwa secretariat, Usman Faruk secretariat, Sokoto Central market and discovered that the compliance was total.