By Rahmatullah Mahmud 
Kano State witnessed a disturbing event as participants in a hunger protest looted and set fire to the NCC Digital Industrial Park on State Road. The building, which housed a state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) center, was scheduled for commissioning next week.
Dramatic footage from viral videos shows protesters ransacking the facility, carrying off chairs, computer monitors, and other equipment. The looting and subsequent arson have raised concerns about the security of critical infrastructure amid social unrest.
The NCC Digital Industrial Park was part of a larger initiative aimed at fostering technological growth and providing digital training opportunities for the youth in Kano. Its destruction represents a significant setback for these efforts and underscores the potential for property damage during protests.
Local authorities have yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident, but initial reports suggest that the protest is part of a larger movement addressing food insecurity and economic hardship in the region. The looting of the park, however, has drawn widespread condemnation, as it not only damages property but also deprives the community of valuable resources intended to uplift and empower local residents.
The incident highlights the delicate balance between exercising the right to protest and maintaining public order, especially in times of economic distress. It also poses questions about the effectiveness of security measures around vital infrastructure projects.