- Banks, eateries, fuel stations, others shut in Lagos
- Protesters loot NCC Park in Kano, burn down Tafa local government area in Niger
- APC office burnt, one killed in Katsina, Kano, Borno, Yobe declare curfew
- We have discovered Senator sponsoring protest – Wike
BY OUR REPORTERS
Thousands of Nigerians began a 10-day nationwide protest on Thursday to express their frustration over lingering economic hardship.
However, the protests organised across Nigeria turned violent in major cities such as Kano, Gombe, and Abuja.
In some cases, the violence was caused by the actions of security officials while in others, the violence occurred due to the actions of some overzealous protesters or counter-protesters.
The protest started peacefully in all aforementioned states as well as others monitored by journalists.
The protest organisers in Abuja and other parts of the country called for the reversal of the fuel price hike, the restoration of affordable electricity tariffs, and the reduction of import duties to their previous rates.
As displayed in some of the placards carried by the demonstrators, the protesters also called for the reversal of many institutions’ hikes in tertiary education fees, the security of farmlands for farmers, and a reduction in the prices of staple foods, among other things.
They are also demanding full transparency and accountability in governance, including the public disclosure and reduction of public officials’ salaries and allowances and an emergency fund to support SMEs.
In Abuja, protesters moving towards the three Arms Zones were tear-gassed in a bid to disperse them and prevent them from accessing the area.
The zone is where the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, and the Aso Villa are located.
Armoured Personnel Carriers conveying soldiers and police operatives were deployed to prevent the protesters from entering the Three-Arms Zone.
Earlier, Abuja protesters at the entrance of the MKO Abiola stadium were told by the police to go inside the stadium. They refused and instead commenced a march towards Eagle Square, close to the Three Arms Zone.
In an attempt to prevent the protesters from accessing the iconic Eagle Square around the Three Arms Zone, the police fired tear gas indiscriminately.
As soon as the protesters approached Eagle Square, chaos ensued. The police stationed at strategic points took up tactical positions around the protesters and fired tear gas at them.
However, instead of dispersing, the protesters are regrouping.
Many protesters have regrouped around the Ministry of Finance, blocking Ahmadu Bello Way and pushing back towards the police.
Many people were injured, and police specifically targeted journalists and arrested at least two of them, including a Premium Times journalist whose phone was seized after he was beaten despite identifying himself as a journalist.
The police also used tear gas to disperse another set of protesters at the NYSC junction in Kubwa.
Banks, eateries, fuel stations, others shut in Lagos
The roads and streets of Lagos were also deserted as armed security personnel took strategic positions across the metropolis.
As of 8 am, The Point reporters witnessed special security personnel, tagged: CP Tactical Squad, Lagos State Police Command, stationed at Egbeda Bus Stop, monitoring development.
The roads were virtually empty as only commercial buses, popularly called Danfo, could be seen operating.
The ever-busy Bus Rapid Transit terminals were empty as there were no buses in sight while passengers that dared to go out, scuttled to board Danfos.
A number of banks, eateries, fuel stations, superstores, and other business enterprises were seen under lock and key.
Also some miscreants were seen on major roads like Ikotun, Egbeda, Dopemu, Ikeja, Ojota, jesting and drinking alcoholic stuff and smoking.
As of 10 am, there was no sign of likely protest as protesters could not be seen in sight but armed special task force, Rapid Response Squad men were in large numbers across the metropolis.
Police helicopter was seen on surveillance operating across the metropolis.
Armoured Personnel Carriers vehicles and vans were seen stationed at strategic points at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park as well as Peace Park, Ojota area.
Minister laments as protesters loot NCC Park in Kano
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, ‘Bosun Tijani, lamented the destruction of a technology hub in Kano, just days before its scheduled launch.
The Digital Innovation Park, designed to support Nigeria’s technical talent accelerator program (3MTT), was reportedly set ablaze and looted during the protests on Thursday.
“Sad to learn that our Digital Innovation Park in Kano slated for launch next week to support our technical talent accelerator (3MTT) has been set ablaze and looted by protesters,” Tijani stated in a post via X on Thursday.
The incident occurred as part of wider unrest in Kano, where protesters targeted the yet-to-be-commissioned Nigeria Communication Commission Industrial Park.
Tijani highlighted the immediate impact of this destruction on planned initiatives.
“Alongside #3MTT, this building is set to host our buildathon holiday maker programme for secondary school kids starting next week,” he added.
The minister characterised the damage as a setback for the journey to deepening the workforce for technology and creating job opportunities for the youth.
“Millions of Naira down the drain,” Tijani said.
Miscreants burn down Tafa local government area in Niger
The protesters also burnt down Tafa local government Secretariat, Sabon Wuse of Niger State along Kaduna- Abuja expressway.
The incident occurred around 9:30 am.
Besides setting the Secretariat ablaze, two cars were also burnt down while two others were vandalized and valuables looted in the Secretariat.
The development created a serious hold up along the ever busy expressway before a combination of security agencies mobilized to the area and dispersed the miscreants.
Police Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun who confirmed the development said eleven persons have already been arrested and the highway now free for traffic.
In a statement, the PPRO said, “some miscreants of Tafa area of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State and that of Hayin-Diko Gurara LGA of Niger State mobilized and stormed Tafa LGA Secretariat of Niger State located along Abuja-Kaduna expressway, Sabon-Wuse Niger State.
“The hoodlums vandalized the Secretariat, partly setting it ablaze, two cars were also burnt and two other others vandalized.
“They further looted valuables there-in while the Police and other security agencies responded to the scene and arrested eleven violent miscreants with different dangerous weapons including firearms as others were dispersed from the scene and some of the looted items were recovered,” he declared.
Wasiu said a combination of security agencies responded to the blockage of the Kaduna-Abuja expressway and old toll-gate and the hoodlums were dispersed adding that presently, the expressway has been reopened for motorists and there is free flow of traffic along the highway.
He called on members of the public to go about their lawful duties assuring that safety of their lives and property are guaranteed just as he assured that other fleeing miscreants will be arrested.
On the death of some protesters in Suleja, unconfirmed sources said six people were shot in an attempt to burn down Police “A” Division in the town just as Police kept mute over the issue.
APC office burnt, one killed in Katsina
The nationwide protest also took a tragic turn on Thursday in Katsina State as the demonstrators burnt down the All Progressives Party Congress office in Dutsinma LGA.
APC’s flag was also vandalized at the ruling party’s office while the protesters marched past the ruling party’s office in Katsina LGA.
One of the protesters was reportedly killed and a police officer was injured as the demonstrators clashed with the police.
The protest which was initially calm with groups identified by the police was later infiltrated by different other groups carrying sticks and leaves, chanting “Bamuyi Bamuyi.”
Among them were many underage and there were no security agents seen around them.
It was also gathered that around the Katsina State Government House, the protest descended into chaos when a group of hoodlums infiltrated the crowd and began attacking security personnel with stones and other objects which prevented them from entry inside the government house. This reportedly forced the police to deploy tear gas and water cannons to disperse the unruly mob.
Confirming the reports, the spokesperson, Katsina Police Command, ASP Sadiq Abubakar said, it is true that the APC Office in Dutsinma was set on fire.
However, he said the command has not received a report of any protester in the state that was killed.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups, representing over 300 organisations in Katsina State refused to take to the streets but matched to the government house to dialogue and present their demands to the Katsina Acting Governor, Mallam Faruq Lawal Jobe, for onward delivery to President Bola Tinubu.
“If the coalition says we are organising a protest, considering the number of CSOs at the state and local government level, and we all converge, the number is going to be a very big one, and controlling that kind of crowd to prevent the infiltration of miscreants can be something difficult. So, that’s why we are opting for the interaction and at the end, we handed over our letter of demands to the acting Governor for submission to the president,” The coalition chairman, AbdulRahman Abdulah stated.
He attributed the majority of their challenges to the Federal Government, citing poverty, fuel subsidy removal, and insecurity as examples.
“After analysing the situation, we realised that all these three key issues have to do with the Federal Government.”
On insecurity, he said, “While the state government is trying to use kinetic measures to address the insecurity plaguing the state, the Federal Government is opting for non-kinetic measures, frustrating the state government efforts.”
On the hardship, he said, “the rising cost of living is a product of the subsidy removal and it’s the Federal Government that removed the fuel subsidy.”
As for the Katsina State Government, Abdulrahaman disclosed that “the primary issue the coalition is facing with them has to do with ensuring that the intervention received from the Federal Government reaches the targeted audience.”
The acting governor commended the group for their peaceful conduct and assured them that their demands would be forwarded to the president. He also appealed for calm and urged citizens to refrain from damaging public and private property.
Protesters destroy posters, pelt Gombe government house
Some angry protesters on Thursday pelted stones at the Gombe State Government House, while the rest wreaked havoc at the Jekadafari axis of the Gombe Local Government Area.
On Tuesday, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, had a meeting with critical stakeholders, where they assured him that they would not participate in the hunger protest.
Yahaya had urged interested protesters to register with the Commissioner of Police, following the Inspector General of Police’s order.
The Public Relations Officer ASP Buhari Abdullahi confirmed the breakdown of law and order in the state.
He said, “The situation is under control. We are managing the situation now and it is relatively calm. We are trying to talk to them so that they can consider dialogue.”
Asked why the protest in Gombe turned violent Abdullahi added, “As you know it’s everywhere but the Commissioner of Police is on the ground and other security heads are on the ground managing the situation.”
Kano, Borno, Yobe declare curfew
The governments of Kano, Borno, and Yobe States have declared curfew, as the protests that began across Nigeria degenerated into violence in some areas.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State declared a 24-hour curfew in the state with immediate effect.
Yusuf said all security agencies were directed to ensure full and immediate compliance.
The governor announced this while addressing newsmen at the Kano State government house.
He said the action became imperative to ensure full protection of lives and properties in the state as hoodlums and thugs had hijacked the protest to embark on looting and indiscriminate killing of innocent citizens.
Yobe State
In Yobe State, the government imposed a 24-hour curfew in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru towns, where some hoodlums took advantage of the protest to vandalise and loot properties.
The Special Adviser to Governor Mai Mala Buni on Security Matters, Dairy Abdulsalam, urged the public to abide by the curfew order.
He urged them to stay at home for peace to reign in the affected areas and the state at large.
According to him, the security agencies have been directed to ensure enforcement and full compliance of the curfew order.
Borno State
In Borno State, a 24-hour curfew was imposed across the state.
A suicide bomber had rocked Kawuri Village in Konduga Local Government Area, killing 16 people and injuring 20 others.
According to a statement by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Daso, “In line with our constitutional mandate towards the restoration of law and order, the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum, in consultation with heads of security in the state, finds it expedient to declare 24 hours curfew in the state with immediate effect.
“I, therefore, wish to call upon the good people of Borno State to remain calm and law-abiding. Further developments will be communicated to you accordingly please.”
We have uncovered Senator sponsoring protest – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that security agents have received intelligence of a Senator sponsoring the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests against the government.
The minister stated this at a press briefing, following a security meeting with heads of security agencies in Abuja, on Thursday.
Wike said the Senator, whom he said would be invited in due time for questioning by relevant agencies, took security agents with him to deliver food to the protesters.
“Now we also have information that a senator had to invite some security agencies to lead some of them to go and provide food for the protesters. That is sponsorship.
“A senator providing food for protesters? At the appropriate time, security agencies will invite the senator and find out how you will be sponsoring this kind of thing against the government of the day,” he said.
The minister again called for protesters to obey the court order restricting them to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, noting the violence and killings that had occurred in other parts of the country on the first day of the protest.
He disclosed that the security agencies also had intelligence that miscreants planned to hijack the protest to destroy properties tomorrow (today), stating, however, that they (security operatives) would not allow it.
“We believe that this is a democratic government and so we must act according to the rule of law. We also believe that this protest is their entitlement so that the government can address the issues raised. Obeying the rule of law is obeying court orders. “You saw what happened today when some people tried to move into Eagle Square. Miscreants may not have succeeded in what they wanted to do, but we have intelligence that they are coming out tomorrow to destroy property that will lead to loss of lives.
“The security agencies will not allow that. Every protester, please, go to the MKO Abiola stadium and do your protest. That is what the court said,” he declared.
