#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters in Abuja on Thursday, August 1, 2024. Photo: Olukayode Jaiyeola By Zailani Mustapha Nigeria is facin...
 | |
| #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters in Abuja on Thursday, August 1, 2024. Photo: Olukayode Jaiyeola |
Nigeria is facing an
unprecedented crisis as mass hunger protests erupt across the nation, bringing
attention to the severe food shortages and economic hardships plaguing
millions.
In response, several
states, including Kano, Borno, Katsina, and Jigawa, have imposed 24-hour
curfews to curb the unrest and maintain order. The situation has put the
government under immense pressure to address the escalating humanitarian crisis
and find immediate solutions to prevent further chaos.
No fewer than 17
persons were feared killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna and Jigawa
during the #Endbadgovernance protest which was held across the country on
Thursday.
One person was shot
dead in Abuja and Kano, two killed in Jigawa, six others were reportedly gunned
down by security forces in Niger, while four died in Borno and three in Kaduna.
The rally began
peacefully but took a violent turn in some cities leading to violent
confrontations between the police and the protesters.
Businesses, banks,
shopping plazas and some markets did not open for fear of the protests
escalating into a crisis.
In Abuja, the
demonstration claimed a victim, who was shot dead along the Kubwa expressway.
An eyewitness, who
identified herself as Ekaete, said the man, whose identity could not be
immediately confirmed, was gunned down after the protesters became violent and
blocked the highway.
‘’I was waiting for a
bus on the expressway when the protesters in their numbers blocked the highway
and harassed motorists. But as they became violent, the police fired live
shots, killing the young man. Everybody took off on seeing the man fall,’’ she
narrated.
The police also had another encounter with protesters at the Eagles Square, Three Arms Zone, located a few metres from the Presidential Villa.
A group of protesters converged on the Eagles Square, chanting the old “Arise, O Compatriots” national anthem and demanding an end to bad governance in the country.
In response, the
security operatives fired a couple of teargas canisters to discourage the
protesters, who only shouted back in defiance.
In Niger State, about six people were reportedly killed by the police while 11 persons were arrested for allegedly attempting to set ablaze Tafa LGA secretariat during the protest.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Waisu Abiodun, disclosed in Minna on Thursday that some hoodlums partially burnt part of the secretariat and looted valuable items.
Abiodun was silent on the number of persons killed during the incident.
He explained that at
about 9:30 am, some miscreants from Tafa area of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State
and Hayin-Diko of Gurara Council Area of Niger stormed the secretariat located
in Sabon-Wuse along Abuja-Kaduna expressway.
Abiodun said the hoodlums vandalised and partially set ablaze the secretariat, burnt two vehicles as well as vandalised two others.
He said the hoodlums went further to loot valuables inside offices in the secretariat, adding that in the process, police and other security agencies responded to the scene.
The spokesman further disclosed that the 11 suspects were nabbed with different dangerous weapons, including firearms while others were dispersed from the scene and some of the looted items were recovered.
He added that the
police and other security agencies responded to the blockage of the
Kaduna-Abuja expressway and the old toll-gate to disperse the hoodlums who
blocked it.
Jigawa Imposes 24-hour Curfew Over Violent Protest
As the nationwide protests against hardship in the country turned violent in Jigawa State on Thursday, and to avoid further escalation of the situation, the state government has imposed an indefinite 24-hour curfew in the state.
The state governor, Malam Umar Namadi, who announced the curfew in a broadcast on Thursday night, described the situation in the state as very unfortunate and never a solution to people’s demands.
“The situation in which the peaceful demonstration turned violent characterised by destruction and looting is totally unaccepted, and it is not in our culture. Therefore, we will not allow it to continue unabated.
“To ensure the return of peace and stability, we announce 24-hour curfew, however for the sake of Friday prayer, the curfew will be relaxed between 12:00 to 02:30pm to allow people to attend Friday prayer.
“Together with security
agencies, we will continue to study the situation and take appropriate action
to safeguard the lives and properties of people against miscreants and hoodlums
across the state,” Governor Namadi declared.
Borno Declares 24 Hours Curfew Citing Killing Of 16
By IEDs
Borno State police command, on the directive of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, yesterday declared a 24-hour curfew in the state, citing the killing of 16 persons by improvised explosive devices ( IEDs ) suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram terrorists.
A statement issued by the state’s police public relations officer ( PPRO ), ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, called upon the good people of Borno State to remain calm and law-abiding, adding that further developments will be communicated accordingly.
In response to the tragic incident at Kawori, where the detonation of an improvised explosive device resulted in the death of 16 individuals and left many others critically injured, the governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umar Zulum, has declared a 24-hour curfew across the state. The explosion, which caused significant casualties and injuries, has prompted swift action from the state government.
Governor Zulum, in consultation with security and law enforcement agencies, has deemed it necessary to impose the curfew to restore law and order and ensure the safety of the residents. In a public statement, Governor Zulum emphasised the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies in preserving law and order. He called on the citizens of Borno State to remain calm and law-abiding during this critical period.
“I therefore, wish to call upon the good people of Borno State to remain calm and law-abiding,” said Governor Zulum. “Further developments will be communicated to you accordingly.” The injured victims are currently receiving treatment in various government hospitals across the state. The government is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
DAILY STRUGGLE reports
that the curfew might also not be unconnected with the hunger protests staged
by residents which has turned violent in some areas of the Maiduguri
metropolitan council.
Kano Gov Declares 24-Hour Curfew
The Governor of Kano
State, Abba Yusuf, has declared a 24-hour curfew in the state after the protest
against economic hardship in the state turned violent.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Tofa, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the decision comes after an Emergency State Security Council meeting dedicated to addressing the escalating violence and disruptions that have emerged amid civil demonstrations.
Tofa said to safeguard lives and preserve public and private property, the decision to implement a curfew was made unanimously during the emergency meeting.
“The imposition of this curfew is a necessary measure to restore order and ensure the safety of our communities.
“It is paramount that we protect our citizens from further harm and preserve the sanctity of our state’s institutions and businesses,” he said.
The governor called on all citizens to remain vigilant and united during this challenging time.
“Let us not allow the actions of a few selfish individuals to divide us.
“Together, we can navigate these challenges and fortify our resolve to build a stronger, more resilient Kano State,” he said.
The statement noted that all security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure full compliance with the curfew, and citizens are urged to heed this directive for their safety and the well-being of all.
Daily Struggle reports that hoodlums earlier looted the newly built Nigeria Communication Commission Industrial Park in Kano State.
Photos and videos
circulating online shows the hoodlums setting the building on fire and making
off with valuable equipment like computers, furniture, and electronics.
Katsina government imposes 24-hour curfew
The Katsina State
Government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Dutsinma Local Government Area.
The Secretary to the
Government of the State, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, announced the decision
in a statement issued in Katsina on Thursday.
The statement was
signed by Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua, the director of media at the office
of the secretary to the state government.
According to him, the government under the acting governor, Malam Faruq Jobe, has also banned unusual gatherings and all types of protests across the state.
He explained further that the decision followed an emergency State Security Council meeting convened on the report of a breakdown of law and order in some parts of the state as a result of the nationwide protest.
“The acting governor had earlier received a group of Civil Society Organizations who were on a peaceful demonstration at the Government House and pledged to deliver their messages to the appropriate authority.
“However, later government received reports that some miscreants had hijacked the protest and unleashed their ulterior motives of shopbreaking, looting, and vandalisation of public and private properties.
“Therefore, the government found it necessary to impose these measures to safeguard people’s lives and properties in the state,” he said.
According to him, people are therefore warned to remain calm and law-abiding, as the security agencies have been directed to arrest any individual or group of persons for violating the orders.
He said that the acting
governor has appealed to the people in the state to continue with their
legitimate activities within the free movement period.
Similarly, the police
in the state said it has begun enforcement of the curfew across the state.
The spokesman of the command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, said in a statement, “We wish to dismiss the misinformation that police personnel shot live ammo at protesters, resulting in loss of lives.
“We assure the members of the public that our officers exercised the maximum level of restraint and professionalism in handling the violent protesters.
“There is no record of
any fatalities resulting from police actions as of the time of these reports,”
according to Sadiq-Aliyu.
Security Agencies Will Soon Summon Senator Behind
Hunger Protest, Says Wike
A senator is behind the
protest which shook the nation on Thursday, according to Federal Capital
Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
He said this after an emergency Security Council meeting in the nation’s capital, on Thursday.
Wike did not disclose the identity of the senator but said security agencies would soon invite the federal lawmaker.
According to him, it was discovered that the senator called some security operatives to accompany a truckload of food for the protesters.
The minister who admitted that protests are allowed in a democracy, said the protesters owe it a duty to democracy to respect the court order restricting their activities to the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
He said; “We had said before now that we will continue to brief the press as we monitor the protest of people who say they are protesting against bad governance and hunger in the country..
“We believe that this is a democratic government and so we must act according to the rule of law. We also believe that this protesting it is their entitlement so that government can address the issues raised. Obeying the rule of law is obeying court orders.
“We are doing quite a lot to change the lives of the people. You are aware of the court order yesterday. The court did not stop protests, it only restricted them to the National Stadium.
“We had come out to say clearly that one of the reasons we appealed against the protest was that we believe some miscreants will hijack the process and cause destruction of property within the FCT. See what happened in some of the states today. Now, look at the loss fo lives. If such a thing happens in the FCT, what do you think people would say? Here we have the international community carrying out their businesses.
“You saw what happened today where some people tried to move into the 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.
“Now we also have
intelligence 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 added.
Arrest over looting rises to 269 in Kano, NBA offers
free legal services
The number of arrests
made by police operatives in Kano in connection with the destruction of
property and looting during the nationwide hardship protest in the state, has
risen to 269 suspects.
According to the state
Police Spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the command has successfully
apprehended some criminals who used the demonstration as a cover for their
malicious activities.
The Nigerian Bar Association has set up free legal support services for anyone whose fundamental human rights may be violated as a result of the ongoing hunger protest.
In a statement on Thursday, the association’s President, Yakubu Maikyau, through the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, disclosed that directives have been sent out to all chairpersons of the 130 branches of the association to take up any case(s) of breach of fundamental human rights of persons involved in the protest.
He, however, advised participants to go about the protest peacefully while he urged law enforcement agents to be professional and respect the human rights of others in the discharge of their duty.
Maikyau also noted that a situation monitoring committee has been set up to monitor activities between law enforcement agents and protesters.
He said these individuals engaged in acts of violence, destruction, looting, and causing harm to innocent civilians.
“In a swift and efficient response to these criminal activities, a total of 269 suspects responsible for destructions, looting, and instigating chaos under the guise of the nationwide protest were arrested with recovery from them many Jerricans of 25 Litres of Groundnut Oil, a large quantity of Stationeries, Foodstuffs, and other valuable properties.
“The suspects are currently cooling their feet at the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and thereafter will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation,” he said.
Kiyawa added that more arrests and recoveries are in progress.
The Commissioner of Police, Salman Dogo Garba, reiterated that it is the prerogative of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ensure the protection of lives and properties.
“Therefore, whoever tries to cause violence, destruction, looting of people’s and Government properties, and meddling of fake news to heat up the situation will be dealt with according to the law,” the CP said.
The CP further called
on residents to strictly obey the 24-hour curfew imposed by the State
Government as violations will not be tolerated.
No comments