Teargas, deaths, looting on first day of nationwide protest
The nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance has recorded casualtie, with security agents raining teargas, and looting recorded in some states.
In Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, protesters broke through security cordon and bowed not to stop until their demands were met.
A large number of protesters marched through the streets in spite of an order by a Federal High Court that restricted protesters to Moshood Abiola Stadium.
While some of them proceeded to the stadium, others assembled at various spots across the nation’s capital.
Security operatives have been having a tough time controlling the crowd of young persons who are insisting that they would remain on the streets until their demands on an improved economy are met.
Reports from Niger State indicated that at least six people were killed by policemen while others sustained injuries in the ongoing protest in Suleja.
Passengers and motorists were trapped on the road for hours due to barricade placed by security agents. The policemen could not however control the youths there, and when reinforcement was sent to the scene, pandemonium occurred.
Among those killed was said to be Yahaya Nda Isah, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja, who was hit by a stray bullet.
The bullet reportedly hit Isa on his bike in front of the Suleja Police ‘A’ division where protesters had assembled.
A nephew of the deceased said his uncle was on his bike when the bullet fired to disperse the protesters hit him on his chest and he died on the spot.
“He was my uncle. He was not even protesting. He was passing in front of the Police ‘A’ division where some people were protesting when stray bullet hit him on his chest and he died. As I speak with you, I am in his house alongside other mourners. It’s unfortunate”, he said.
Another victim simply identified as Mallam Abu also died on the spot.
One of the residents who did not want his name mentioned, said three other people were shot at scene while two others were shot at the Suleja Junction on Abuja-Kaduna road but could not confirm if other victims also died.
Another resident who said his shop was not far from the Suleja Police “A” division said he had to close to run for his life.
“We heard people shouting and gunshots were heard for about 20 minutes at Emir Roundabout. The situation in Suleja is ugly”, Bala Abdullahi, another resident said.
Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said some hoodlums also attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze but were dispersed by security operatives.
“The miscreants attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze, they were dispersed by the Police and military. Kaduna road and toll gate was cleared”, he said.
On the killings, Abiodun said: “Let me verify and get back to you”, but is yet to respond to the story.
In Sokoto, businesses were shut down while security operatives patrolled streets as protesters trooped to the streets, s<span;>ome of them bearing placards with inscriptions “End banditry; end kidnapping; end killings and end bad governance”.
Others carried inscriptions such as “Restore fuel subsidy; “We are hungry” and “We need jobs, not street fencing” among others.
The protesters were also chanting anti-Tinubu slogans.
However, the protest was generally peaceful and orderly as of the time of filing this report.
In Cross River, some journalists and activists were beaten up, handcuffed, and taken away by security agents to unknown destinations during the hunger protest in Calabar, Cross River
They were taken away by security personnel alongside other activists early Thursday morning to an undisclosed destination.
The journalists followed some activists around the popular Mary Slessor circle in Calabar where a handful of them had gathered to mark the first day of the 10-day planned protest against alleged bad governance in Nigeria.
Reacting, Barrister James Ibor, a human rights activist, said the arrest and torture of the activists and journalists was condemnable.
He alleged that the heavily armed security agents who tortured the journalists came in four Hilux vehicles and SUVs.
“We challenged the authorities to produce any evidence that Ugbal and others were violent.
“This is very sad. It is a disappointment and we call on Gov Otu to order the release of these journalists and activists whom I believe strongly are in government’s custody.”
Meanwhile, Yobe State Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru areas of the state after some hoodlums reportedly cashed in on the situation to vandalize and loot government and private properties.
“The Yobe State Government has considered the security situation in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru towns where some hoodlums are taking advantage of the protest to vandalize and loot government and private properties.
“In view of the above therefore, the state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru. The public is hereby advised to abide by the curfew order and stay at home for peace to reign in these areas and the state at large.
“The Security Agencies have been directed to ensure enforcement and full compliance of the curfew order,” the statement read.
