Protesting residents of Maru town in Zamfara State, on Thursday set fire on a section of the palace of the Emir of the town.
The incident occurred after security operatives disrupted a peaceful protest staged by youths demanding government intervention following the latest abduction of ten people, including a prominent religious leader and his family.
The latest wave of terror began in the early hours of Wednesday, when armed assailants stormed the town, firing indiscriminately and instilling fear among residents.
Among those abducted was the Chief Imam of the Maru Central Mosque, Alhaji Salisu Suleman, along with his two wives and seven children.
The brazen attack, which brought the total number of kidnapped victims to ten, ignited simmering anger within the community.
In response, youths took to the streets on Thursday to protest the escalating violence and the perceived inaction of security agencies.
The demonstrators blocked the busy Sokoto-Gusau highway, disrupting traffic and drawing the attention of security forces.
However, instead of addressing the protesters’ concerns, security operatives intervened, disrupting the demonstration.
This action further inflamed tensions, leading the enraged residents to march on the Emir’s palace and set a portion of the building ablaze.
A video circulating online shows flames engulfing a section of the palace, accompanied by a voice confirming the fire.
The incident underscores the growing desperation and sense of abandonment felt by residents who believe the government is failing to protect them from the relentless attacks.
The Zamfara State government has faced mounting criticism for its handling of the security crisis, with many residents and observers calling for more decisive action against the terrorists and bandits plaguing the region.
The burning of the Emir’s palace represents a significant escalation of the unrest and highlights the urgent need for effective measures to restore peace and security to the area.
Despite repeated attempts to reach him for comment, the Zamfara Police Command Spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, has not responded to phone calls or text messages regarding the incident.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
