The ongoing nationwide hunger protest in Zamfara State took a violent turn on Monday as protesters blocked major roads, destroying and looting properties in Gusau, the state capital.
The protesters were also at the gate of the Government House in Gusau as security operatives battled to dislodge them.
At the roundabout near Central Police Station in Gusau, the protesters also clashed with police operatives while more security operatives were deployed to restive areas in the state capital to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Many shops and business places were closed as residents went into hiding to save their lives.
Most of the filling stations were also shut down.
The protest prevented motorists and commercial motorcycle riders from buying fuel at filling stations, making transportation very difficult.
A resident, Usman Muktar said, “Hoodlums are now using the opportunity of the nationwide protest to loot peoples’ properties even though it was supposed to be peaceful protest, as promised by the organizers.
“Only God knows when all these will come to an end so that people can return to their business places.”
“As at now, nothing is moving in the state due to the protest.”