No fewer than 19 Nigerians have been reportedly killed on Thursday after hoodlums hijacked the Day-one of the ongoing nationwide protest against hardship in Nigeria.
It was reports that youths on Thursday staged protests across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja to register their grievances against government policies that have imposed untoward hardship on them.
The protest, which was projected to be peaceful, turned violent in many parts of the nation.
Hoodlums hijacked the exercise in some states including Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT, Niger and Jigawa, leading to loss of lives and properties.
Six protesters killed in Niger State
It was reports that at least six Nigerian youths protesting against the bad governance in the country paid the supreme price in Suleja, Niger State on Thursday, while several others were injured.
It was gathered that the earlier peaceful protest escalated when the anti-riot police, led by the Police Area Commander, tried to disperse them.
The police used teargas to disperse the defiant youths, who retaliated by throwing stones, sticks, and other objects, resulting in the vandalization of a police vehicle with registration number NPF 9102C.
The retaliation from the protester didn’t go down well as the police operatives subsequently fired live ammunition, which caused the deaths of six people.
Boko Haram insurgents infiltrate protest in Borno, kill 4, injured 34
About four persons were also killed in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, after suspected Boko Haram members infiltrated the supposed peaceful protest with explosive devices.
According to Farouq Lawal, commissioner of police in Borno, thirty-four persons also sustained severe injuries in the incident.
The Commissioner, in a statement, said the commander of the explosive ordnance device (EOD), Base 13, was “swiftly” deployed to the scene.
He stated that the “injured and deceased were transported to Specialist Hospital Maiduguri for medical attention and autopsy.
“The protest, which involved minors, primarily almajiris aged 9–15, escalated into violence. Protesters took over the Maiduguri-Kano road at the Mala Kachalla Roundabout, linking the Borno Express Flyover”.
Four reported killed in Kaduna
Three protesters and one security operative were reportedly killed in Kaduna State when the protest turned violent on Thursday.
The incident occurred when the protesters marched from the Rigasa area and from the Abakwa end, moving towards the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the official residence and office of the state Governor.
An eyewitness told Vanguard that while they were marching, “suddenly, a vehicle, that they use in spraying hot water on protesters, came speeding towards us from the Government House axis and sprayed us with hot water, then another security vehicle came on speed from the 44 Reference Hospital end.
”In the confusion that ensued and as we scampered to save ourselves from being hit by the security vehicles, 3 peaceful protesters were hit and they died. No one carried any weapon, we were just carrying placards and chanted slogans against bad governance”.
Police reportedly fire live ammunition, kill two in Jigawa
The hunger protest went out of control in Jigawa State on Thursday leading to the unfortunate death of at least two protesters.
It was gathered that the protest took place in over 10 LGAs across the state, with reports of destruction and looting of government property.
In Dutse, the state capital, one of the protesters was shot dead in front of Government House, while the other was killed at Shiwarin town when the protesters attempted to close the Maiduguri-Kano Road.
The protesters also set ablaze the All Progressives Congress, APC, headquarters and burnt party vehicles in Dutse, the state capital.
Three killed in Kano, govt imposes 24-hour curfew
According to Arise TV, three protesters were killed in Kano State during Thursday’s protest, prompting a 24-hour curfew by the state government.
It was reported that one of the protesters was gunned down by a police officer in front of the gate leading to the government house during the exercise.
Two others were also said to have been killed while attempting to flee the protest location, where the earlier fatal shooting happened.
Similarly, properties belonging to both the government and private individuals were vandalized by the protesters.
Protesters stone police in FCT
The nation’s capital was not exempted from the violent protest as hoodlums reportedly hijacked the exercise causing tension in the territory.
The Police Public Relations Officer, FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said that the protest was taken over by hoodlums.
Confirming how the protesters were throwing stones at the operatives of the command, the PPRO said, “protest has been taken over by hoodlums.
“The protesters have been throwing stones at police officers. Hoodlums have hijacked the protest and this is the concern we had raised earlier”.
Angered by the developments, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Thursday night said the Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on red alert to avert further break down of law and order.
The IGP, who lamented the widespread violence, said “our officers are fully mobilized and prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any further threats to public safety and order.
“We remain committed and resolute to protecting lives and property and ensuring that law and order are maintained across the nation”.
