Nationwide Protest: Barakat Stores Kano Acknowledges Troops of Nigerian Army

The management of Barakat stores in Kano has acknowledged the effort of the troops of the Nigerian Army for their professional conduct during the protest that spiral into looting and pockets of violence in Kano state, in a letter conveyed by the organization’s General Manager. 

A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said the Nigerian Army personnel were captured in a viral video circulating in the social media, insinuating that troops participated in the looting by some unscrupulous persons who took advantage of the protest to perpetrate the looting that occurred on Thursday, 1 August 2024 in Kano. 

Accorinding to the Nigerian Army, contrary to the misconception portrayed in the purported video, soldiers of 3 Brigade NA responded to a distress call of hoodlums’ attack on Barakat Stores in the metropolis, the swift intervention of the soldiers however prevented the hoodlums from having a filled day. 

The troops intercepted some of the hoodlums and recovered some of the looted items, which they were conveying back to the Store, when another distress call of a planned attack on the Kano State Government House was received.  

Considering the urgency of the imminent attack, the troops immediately diverted to respond to the distress call in order to protect the Government House from the hoodlums’ attack. It was in the course of the response to distress call about possible attack on Kano Government House, that the video was shot, the statement clarified. 

The fluidity and urgency of the distress call accorsing to the Army explain why troops in the video were not overly bothered when some hoodlums even stole from the troops' truck while in motion as preventing the attack on the Government House was more expedient.

Troops have since moved the recovered gallons of cooking oil and other items back to the store, where they were safely handed-over to the rightful owner.  

The NA commends the troops for their swift effort and professional conduct in maintaining law and order and prevention of wanton looting by the hoodlums. These actions demonstrate the NA’s commitment and resolve to protect lives and property of the citizenry.

We urge the public to be cautious of misinformation and verify facts before drawing conclusions. We appreciate the cooperation and support of law-abiding members of the public in ensuring peace and safety at this critical moment.