The first day of a planned 10-day protest unfolded in a mixed baggage of peaceful demonstrations and bloody clashes with police, as no fewer than 10 people were reported killed by security agents in different parts of Nigeria.
BORNO
In Borno State, four men were shot dead by nervous security agents at Bolori Junction along Baga Road.
JIGAWA
The headquarters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jalingo, Jigawa State, was set ablaze on Thursday.
The secretariat was torched during the violence that broke out in the protest against hunger.
Similarly, the demonstration turned violent in Hadejia after hoodlums attacked and burned down the Local Government Secretariat and other key government infrastructures.
Also burnt was the Jigawa State Agricultural Supply Company JASCO and the government silos and Storages.
YOBE
The Yobe State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew in Potiskum, Gashua, Nguru, and other towns, where violence broke out.
Yobe protests witnessed incidents of looting and vandalism by hoodlums.
The curfew announcement came via a statement signed by Brigadier-General Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd), the Security Advisor to the Governor of Yobe State.
He highlighted the deteriorating security situation in the affected towns, where individuals have exploited the protests to damage and steal from both government and private properties.
“In view of the above, the state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru,” Brigadier-General Abdulsalam stated. “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.”
KANO
Hoodlums were seen on video vandalising traffic lights in Kano.
The hoodlums, who climbed to up to the traffic lights, were seen using a metallic object to knock it down.
Some hijacked the exercise to loot government property and furniture.
The hoodlums were pictured looting government properties including computers, furniture, and several items from the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Industrial Pack in Kano, which is yet to be commissioned.
KEBBI
The protest turned violent in the Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State and resulted in the killing of a businessman, struck by a stray bullet allegedly fired by marine police near the Yauri River.
Protesters went on the rampage and blocked the federal highway, causing a significant disruption to traffic entering Yauri town.
As marine police attempted to disperse the protesters, they reportedly fired bullets, one of which tragically hit and killed the plastic seller in his shop.
However, the situation in the state capital, Birnin Kebbi, remained calm following earlier protracted protests in parts of the town.
LAGOS
Hundreds of police personnel marched through the streets in a show of force in the Lekki tollgate area.
Pro-protesters and anti-protesters came face-to-face in Ojota, Lagos, in the morning.
During the face-off, there was an argument between the groups, with some persons seen interfering to prevent matters from going south.
While music poured out, some women with empty pots joined the protest in Ojota, Lagos.
NIGER
Eyewitnesses said three people were shot dead by security operatives, with several other injured at Suleja, Niger State.
“This isn’t fake news! The Police shot 3 protesters in Suleja Niger state during the peaceful protest,” X user, @Humeeerat, wrote.
DailyTrust reported that one Yahaya Nda Isah, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja, was among those killed by a stray bullet.
The bullet reportedly hit Isa on his bike in front of the Suleja Police ‘A’ division where protesters had assembled.
His nephew said his uncle was riding 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 was simply identified as Mallam Abu also said died on the spot, according to the publication.
A resident said three other people were shot at the same scene while two others were shot at the Suleja Junction on Abuja-Kaduna road but could not confirm if other victims were dead.
CROSS RIVER
Reports said a journalist and Managing Editor of CrossRiverWatch, Jonathan Abang Ugbal, and some protesters were arrested by the police in Calabar, Cross River State.
Activist Agba Jalingo, who reported the alleged arrest, also claimed that Jonathan was beaten and handcuffed before he was taken away.
Jonathan earlier shared a video of himself at a protest venue.
BAUCHI
Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command disrupted the #endbadgovernance protest in Bauchi State after they fired tear gas at protesters.
The protesters had assembled in front of the Emir of Bauchi’s palace, demanding a meeting with the Emir but were stopped by a police barricade.
As the protesters insisted on meeting with the Emir, the police fired tear gas canisters to disperse them.
KATSINA
Youths in Katsina hit the streets to protest the lingering economic hardship, insecurity, and poor governance in the country.
The youths, led by Habibu Ruma, in a peaceful protest, tagged: “We Are hungry and we need security to be restored”, were seen carrying flag cards with various inscriptions such as ‘End banditry now,’ ‘Economic hardship is high,’ ‘Reduce the high cost of governance,’ ‘Stop the killings in the north,’ ‘Our families are disintegrated,’ ‘Agriculture is not possible,’ ‘Food is costly’ among others.
NASARAWA
Several #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters were spotted in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, carrying placards with the inscriptions:
“We Don’t Need Palliatives, Bring Back Subsidy.”
Another Nasarawa protester’s placard reads:
“Hunger is killing us already. We are not afraid of death.”
