The Kano State Judiciary has initiated an investigation into the vandalism and looting that took place on August 1, 2024, amid the national hunger protest. Baba Ibrahim, the spokesperson for the Kano State High Court, stated that the investigation’s purpose is to account for the stolen items and assess the extent of the property damage.
Ibrahim confirmed that the investigation is underway and assured the public that the findings would be disclosed once the report is complete. He recounted that on August 1, individuals identifying themselves as part of the #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria protest breached the Kano State High Court premises. The rioters stole an unspecified amount of money and firearms that were being held as evidence in ongoing kidnapping cases.
In response to these incidents and related security concerns, the state government has adjusted its curfew hours, now set from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This measure aims to enhance security and manage public order following the disruptions caused by the protests.
He added, “Private and official vehicles parked at the premises of the court were razed, while some were vandalised by the protesters. Offices, including the chief judge and other judges in the court, were vandalised.
“The (protesters) destroyed the new and old case files and scattered everything in the buildings. The case exhibits, including guns kept in the court’s store, were also looted.”
Also, he explained that some of the burned vehicles parked at the court premises are exhibits in an ongoing case.
“This is the first time the Kano State Judiciary had witnessed such an incident, noting that vehicles parked at the court’s promises were also vandalised, and looted”, he said.
