EndBadGovernance Protests: Tragedies on day one, as  Abuja, other places suffer mob attacks

#

Protesters on Thursday marched on a major road in Kugbo, Asokoro in Abuja Municipal Council Area (AMAC).

In their hundreds, the protesters who are refused to retreat despite gunshots and teargas fired by security operatives.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had restricted protesters to Moshood Abiola Stadium. But while some of them proceeded to the stadium, others assembled at various spots across the nation’s capital.

Security operatives had 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.

Asokoro houses Nigeria’s seat of power, government establishments, military barracks as well as head office of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Three killed Jigawa State

In Jigawa State, at least three persons were killed and many more injured as Police fired teargas canisters to disperse hoodlums who infiltrated #EndBadGovernance protesters.

Jigawa witnessed an unprecedented situation in the history of the state as the nationwide protests against hardship and hunger sprang up in over 10 major towns across the state with reports of destruction and looting of government properties by hoodlums.

Report from Hadejia city confirmed that two persons were killed and four people were admitted at a hospital as a result of injuries and suffocation they suffered from teargas fired at them by Anti-Riot Policemen, while government-owned agricultural stores were looted in the area.

In Gumel town, the store of the Jigawa State Agricultural Supply Company (JASCO), a private house belonging to a House of Representatives member representing Gumel, Gagarawa, Maigarati federal constituency in the State, and the house of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) zonal vice chairman, were all vandalized and looted by the irate youths, who appeared to have overpowered the security men deployed in the area.

In Birnin Kudu, the State Fertilizer Store and Grains Store were all vandalized and looted by the hoodlums, who blocked all major roads linking the town, including Kano-Maiduguri Higherway.

In Dutse, the state capital, one person was feared killed and five persons were taken to Rasheed Shekoni General Hospital as a result of injuries they sustained, while security operatives succeeded in blocking the hoodlums from vandalising many public properties. However, the APC state secretariat in the capital city was burnt.

Similarly, in Jahun, Kazaure and Shuwarin towns, the situation was the same as the hoodlums took to the streets calling for an end to bad governance.

However, there were fears for possible escalation of the protests to other local government areas of the State as youth regrouped in defiance of the directives of Islamic clerics and Traditional Rulers against joining the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.

Niger

At least six people were reportedly killed while others sustained injuries in the ongoing protest in Suleja, Niger State.

The victims were said to have been killed while security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted barricade on a section of Abuja-Kaduna highway.

Some policemen who were around the barricade could not control the youths who outnumbered them.

However, a reinforcement team was sent to the scene where pandemonium occurred.

Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said some hoodlums also attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze but they were dispersed by security operatives.

Kano State

Protests began in Kano on a peaceful note, but later turned awfully awry as young men vandalised government and private assets in various parts of the city.

A group of protesters attempted to force its way into the Government House, but were met with resistance. Security men shot teargas to disperse the mob.

about:blank

A Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) multi-million naira property which was scheduled to be launhed next week was vandalised, looted and set on fire.

The Kano State High Court also suffered vandalism as vehicles parked in the court premises were broken, looted and set on fire, while offices of some High Court judges were destroyed.

The state governor had already announced a 24-hour curfew in the state effective from Thursday evening.

Katsina State

The #EndBadGovernance protests in Katsina State turned violent on Thursday as some hoodlums looted properties.

Several persons were said to have died after alleged miscreants reportedly hijacked the protest, looting various shops and vandalising property belonging to the residents.

This happened before the protesters arrived at the destination of their planned demonstrations.

Some security personnel were forced to fire several gunshots at the protesting youths to maintain law and order which in turn, dispersed the aggrieved protesters.

Some of the victims including police officers and a DPO, were given various medical treatments at a clinic the Katsina State Government House.

Police says protest peaceful in Lagos

Police officials have reported that the demonstrations have largely remained peaceful in Lagos State.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, expressed satisfaction with how protesters conducted themselves during the rallies.

He noted that most participants were orderly and law-abiding, which contributed to a relatively calm atmosphere despite the underlying tensions related to economic grievances.

Fayoade emphasized the importance of maintaining peace during these protests, stating that the police are present to protect both the demonstrators and public order. He encouraged protesters to continue their activities in an organized manner while assuring them of police protection as long as they adhered to peaceful conduct.

Despite some resistance from security forces who urged protesters to limit their activities to designated areas like Freedom Park, many demonstrators chose to march along major roads. This defiance highlights the determination of protest leaders and participants to express their discontent over rising living costs and government policies.

Overall, while there were instances of unrest in other cities such as Kano and Abuja, where police used tear gas to disperse crowds, Lagos has seen a more controlled environment according to law enforcement officials.