By Olusegun Olanrewaju, Clement Adeyi, David Lawani, Ben Adoga, Cross Udo, John Danjuma, Anthony Otaru, and Kenny
No fewer than eight persons were reported dead nationwide yesterday in Nigeria as the much-anticipated hunger protest took its toll in several states of the country.
By the evening four unconfirmed deaths were reported in Borno State, and another one in Niger State, with scores of other people injured in the ratchet of violence that trailed the protests.
Also, an international news agency, AFP, reported that some unconfirmed persons were said to have died in Lagos.
Also in Kaduna State, no fewer than three persons were said to have died in the ensuing bread-and-butter ‘street battles’.
The unrest, which escalated in several states, resulted in fatalities and prompted at least three governors to impose curfews.
Some of the casualties were said to have resulted from the Nigeria Police Force that allegedly used tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
Thousands of people in cities across the nation spilled into the streets to protest the high cost of living.
The authorities -federal and state – had tried to stave off the uprising with carefully choreographed, last-minute strategies that peaked with town hall assemblies, all to no avail.
Nigeria has been struggling with soaring inflation and a sharply devalued naira after President Bola Tinubu ended a costly fuel subsidy and liberalised the currency more than a year ago in a bid to improve the economy.
With the tag, ‘#EndbadGovernanceinNigeria’, the protest movement won support with an online campaign, but officials had warned against attempts to copy recent violent demonstrations in Kenya, where protesters forced the government to abandon new taxes.
*Eight killed in Niger, Borno, several injured in Kaduna, Jigawa, other states
Four residents of Borno State were reportedly killed by soldiers during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Maiduguri, the state capital, in the youth-led nationwide protest against economic hardship which kicked off across the country yesterday.
An online news portal, SaharaReporters, reports that the protesters were killed by the soldiers in front of Kime Petrol Station in the Bolori area of the restive state capital.
As a caution to prevent the untoward, the Borno State government had earlier imposed a 24-hour curfew across the state, in response to hunger protests in the state.
A statement from the Borno State Police Command said the curfew followed the detonation of an improvised explosive device in Kawori Market, in the Konduga area of the state earlier on Wednesday night.
The explosion, it was gathered, was suspected to have been triggered by a Boko Haram suicide bomber, leading to the deaths of 16 persons, and several others injured.
State Police spokesman, Nahum Daso, said the bomb explosion made Governor Babagana Zulum consult with top security officials before imposing the curfew.
Elsewhere in Niger State, there were reports of the killing of a yet-to-be-identified protester in Suleja, Niger State.
There, hoodlums hijacked the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest in the country, causing mayhem.
A source hinted that the planned protest, which initially began with just 25 people in Suleja, was later hijacked by some hoodlums popularly called “Yangogoni” (Scanvengers), who turned the procession into violence.
The cause of death of the protester, who died from injuries sustained during the ensuing chaos, was yet unknown at the time of filing this report.
*Kano, Borno, Yobe impose curfew over looting, violence
Apart from Borno, Kano State too was placed on the curfew list, following a similar uprising over hardship in living.
Kano, the nation’s second-largest city, witnessed protesters lighting bonfires with disused tyres outside the state governor’s office.
Reports say police responded with tear gas, forcing most of the demonstrators back.
The AFP news agency quoted some of the protesters as saying, “We are hungry. Even the police are hungry, the Army is hungry,” a factory worker was quoted to have sung. I have two children and a wife, but I can’t feed them anymore.” He called on the government to reduce fuel prices.
Protesters later torched and ransacked a digital centre of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) near the governor’s office and police fired shots in the air to disperse them.
Police reported pockets of looting and arson in the city, arresting 13 people in the process.
The newly built NCC Industrial Park in Kano was looted by hoodlums, amidst a wave of nationwide protests against economic hardship.
The ICT centre, scheduled for commissioning next week, was also set ablaze during the unrest.
The protests then escalated in several parts of the state, where police reportedly used teargas to disperse demonstrators.
The unrest in Kano saw not only the NCC Industrial Park targeted, but also parts of the Audu Bako Secretariat, including the state high courts, looted and set on fire.
According to reports, other establishments, such as supermarkets and mosques, were also attacked by the rioting youths.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes at the ICT centre where protesters were seen carting away desktop computers, chairs, keyboards, and other valuable appliances before setting the facility on fire.
As the situation festered, the state government was forced to declare a curfew.
Governor Abba Yusuf declared a 24-hour curfew across the state.
Addressing the people of the state later, the governor said, “I am deeply dismayed by the actions of some individuals who have hijacked the ongoing protests in Kano State, resulting in the vandalism of public property.
“While I acknowledge the right of citizens to express their grievances, I strongly condemn the destructive behaviour of these disgruntled elements.
“To safeguard lives and property, I have decided to impose a 24-hour curfew across the state, effective immediately.
“I have also directed security agencies to deal decisively with any person or group found fomenting trouble or engaging in violent activities.
“This administration will not tolerate any actions that threaten the peace and stability of our great state,” he warned.
The governor, however, urged all law-abiding citizens to remain calm and cooperate with the security agencies as they worked to restore order and maintain the rule of law in all parts of the state.
His words, “We are deeply concerned by the turn of events and are taking all necessary measures to restore order.
”I urge all residents to remain indoors as security agencies work to enforce the curfew.”
Meanwhile, men of the Kano State Police Command cracked down hard on vandals.
It began the cracking down on those responsible for the looting and arson.
State police spokesman, Abdullahi Kiyawa, announced on his Facebook page that several arrests had been made, and stolen items recovered.
He said, “We are committed to bringing the perpetrators of these criminal acts to justice. The safety and security of our citizens and property remain our top priority.”
Similarly, no fewer than three youths were killed, while several others were injured in a protest against bad governance, which turned violent in Kaduna yesterday.
Eyewitnesses said the number of protesters, mostly youths and the unemployed, which had outnumbered the security operatives, marched from the Rigasa area and the Abakwa end, towards the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the official residence and office of the state Governor.
A protester, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “We were marching peacefully and no one was carrying any offensive weapon. I think the security operatives near the Government House were threatened by our large numbers.
“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.”
The rallies also allegedly ended in bloodshed in Lagos. Rights groups accused the army of opening fire on peaceful protesters, but the military said troops used blanks to break up a crowd defying a curfew. Amnesty International alleged that at least 10 people died.
Nigeria’s protests are coming after Kenyan President William Ruto was forced to repeal new taxes and name a new cabinet following weeks of anti-government protests in the worst crisis in his almost two years in office.
In Uganda, officials also arrested dozens earlier this month after they took part in banned anti-corruption protests organised online by young activists inspired by Kenya’s rallies.
*CSOs berate police over teargas
Organised Civil Society yesterday knocked the Nigeria Police Force for tear-gassing “defenseless protesters” in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Bauchi, and other states in the country.
In a statement, the United Action Front of Civil Society said three peaceful protesters tear-gassed by the police fainted in Abuja with many others injured.
The CSO leader Olawale Okunniyi alleged that pro-government protesters forced anti-hunger protesters out of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, the venue designated by the government.
“The anti-hunger protesters sensing danger and possible violent clash, decided to quietly move in peaceful procession to the Eagle Square, where they had earlier designated to hold their peaceful protest.
“On getting to the Eagle Square, security agents swooped on them and unleashed mayhem on peaceful protesters with tear gas canisters, injuring several unarmed and defenceless protesters with three protesters reported to have fainted.”
The group strongly condemned the “resort to violence by the police in Abuja, Lekki, Kaduna and other centres in the country contrary to the assurances given to us by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun during our consultative meeting with him on Tuesday”.
“We find this show of force and reckless use of force unacceptable and barbaric and therefore call on the IGP to immediately call his men to order before the situation degenerates beyond control,” the statement said.
Propagated on social media, the nationwide protests against economic hardship, tagged #EndBadGovernance, started on Thursday, August 1, 2024, and are scheduled to stretch till August 10 across all states of the Federation, as well as the nation’s capital Abuja.
Prices of food and basic commodities have gone through the roof in the last months, as Nigerians battle one of the country’s worst inflation rates and economic crises sparked by the government’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows.
The police, military, and the Department of State Services (DSS) had warned against Kenya-styled protests.
Politicians, who surmised that the planned rallies might end up like the EndSARS demonstrations of October 2020, have continued to appeal to youths to shelve the planned rallies but the young people have been unfazed.
*Three injured in Jigawa
The nationwide protest turned violent in Jigawa State as the youths in their thousands besieged the Government House in Dutse, the state capital.
Reports from the state indicated that the protesters attempted to gain access to the Government House but were blocked by the security under the headship of the State commissioner of police, Mr Ahmed Tijjani Abdullahi.
Armed with different placards bearing messages that were directed at the government, they demanded the immediate withdrawal of what they described as anti-common man policies that created hardship in the country including the removal of fuel subsidies.
The protesters also demanded that President Tinubu step down, while some called for the military to take over the country. The protest which started on a peaceful note turned violent when some youths started destroying billboards with portraits of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Namadi, and the ruling APC Logo.
The youths taking part in the protest started vandalising billboards in front of the Government House and started throwing stones and other objects at the security agents.
The commissioner of police tried to speak to the youths but they would not listen, as they were seen burning tires right in front of the Government House.
The protesters refused to listen to the police boss, instead, they started chanting “Bamayi”, and “We don’t want” and later started throwing stones and other objects at the security agents after destroying all the billboards in the area.
The combined security at the government house led by the commissioner of police of the state, with the support of the Brigade Commandant and other security heads serving in the state, fired teargas to disperse them following which two were seriously injured from the alleged impact of teargas canisters.
Also gathered by our reporter in the State, the protesters had attacked the ruling APC Headquarters along Abdullahi Maikano Dutse road in Dutse and looted some equipment and furniture.
Findings also indicated that similar protests took place in other major towns across the state including Hadejia, Birnin Kudu-, Shuwarin, Kazaure, and Gumel.
In Birninkudu town thousands of youths had blocked Kano and Maiduguri roads while commercial activities were grounded to a halt.
In the ancient city of Hadejia, the protesters blocked the major roads, Similarly in Gumel the roads to Maigatari- Niger border, Malam Madori road, and Kano road were all blocked by protesters who were carrying placards calling on President Tinubu to come up with policies that can reduce hardship in the country.”
*Banks, eateries, filling stations, and others shut down in Lagos
In Lagos, the roads and streets of Lagos were deserted as armed security personnel took strategic positions across the metropolis.
The roads were virtually empty as only commercial buses, popularly called ‘danfo’, could be seen operating.
The ever-busy Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) terminals were empty as there were no buses in sight while passengers that dared to go out, scuttled to board ‘danfos’.
Several 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, gisting and drinking alcoholic stuff and smoking.
As of 7.30 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.
A police helicopter was seen on surveillance operating across the metropolis.
Armoured Personnel carriers, APC vehicles, and vans were seen stationed at strategic points at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park as well as Peace Park, Ojota area.
*South-East residents shun demonstrations
However, in the South-East, residents of the five states that make up the region did not join the demonstration.
In Anambra State yesterday, economic activities were grounded across communities and towns.
Residents remained in their homes, following the commencement of the nationwide protest.
Business premises, including markets, shops, filling stations, schools, offices, and all the financial institutions were shut, over the fear of the unknown.
The development was contrary to all the assurances by Ndigbo and other groups across the five states of the South-East geo-political zone of the country that the area would not participate in the weeklong-plus protest.
Expectations had been high that all business premises and offices would open their doors for business while the protest lasted, as in the other states of the federation.
However, there is the fear that miscreants might latch on to the planned protest to unleash mayhem on unsuspecting persons or groups, a development that forced many to restrain themselves from their business places and offices.
In Awka, the Anambra State capital, virtually all the shops in the popular daily Eke Awka market were under lock and key, including adjoining business complexes, although the gates leading into the market were flung open.
The same applied to the popular Nkwor Nnewi auto spare parts market and the Onitsha main market; the Building materials market at Ogidi, the Drug Market at Bridge Head; and the Old and New Motor Spare Parts markets, all in Anambra State.
Findings further showed that motor parks, filling stations, banks, and schools were shut over fear of sudden attacks.
Also, offices occupied by workers at both the state and federal secretariat complexes near the three arms zone at Ekwueme Square were deserted.
Skeletal activities were noticed at the popular Aroma area along the Enugu-Awka-Onitsha expressway, but the State Secretariat road was completely deserted.
Checks further revealed the presence of plain cloth operatives who were believed to have been deployed to mount checks on troublemakers within the town, while police patrols were seen along major streets and roads in Awka and other adjoining towns to ensure peace.
Major roads and streets were not left out as they were deserted by motorists and traders as well as other business outlets within the areas.
The Anambra State House of Assembly complex and various courts in the capital town were locked to visitors and workers.
Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command (PPRO), Toochukwu Ikenga, when contacted on the phone, said personnel of the force had been deployed to mount security at strategic locations while extensive monitoring was on to ensure law and order across the state.
Meanwhile, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents who monitored the situation in Akwa, Enugu Ebonyi, and Nsukka, report that, as of 9am, there were scanty vehicular and pedestrian movements in some major roads and streets in the state capital.
The agency reports that many residents remained indoors, while major markets, malls, and banks were closed.
At the popular Holy Ghost/Ogbete Market, little economic activities were going on around the motor parks, while some banks were shut, apparently for fear of the protest.
There was also a heavy presence of security agencies at the strategic location in the state capital to maintain peace and order.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, Enugu State chapter, Ambrose Igboke, said it was too early to judge if there would be a protest in Enugu or not.
He said, “From what we have seen so far, there was cautious movement around Enugu. People are being cautious, the streets are empty for now as they try to check the situation to know whether they will come out or not.
“For now, there are no signs of protest anywhere in Enugu or people converging for protest either as an itinerant by procession or protest in a particular location.
“From all indications, people of the South-East are not showing much interest because of the history of ethnic jingoism over the past few weeks that it was Igbo protest orchestrated because Peter Obi lost the Presidential Election,” Igboke said.
A youth, Chibueze Ugwu, told NAN that he lost interest in the protest because of the way they treated Igbos in Nigeria.
“Who wants to die for nothing and besides, a hungry person does not protest.
“Apart from that, we have been protesting through our usual Monday Sit at Home, so we do not need to storm the streets to express our grievances,” he said.
It was a similar situation in Nsukka as there were skeletal activities and movement in Nsukka town and environs as of 11am yesterday.
Some shops, markets, and business centres opened while banks closed their gates to customers.
Few commercial buses, tricycles, and motorcycles as well as few people were seen on the roads.
Police patrol vans from Nsukka Police Area Command were seen patrolling around the town.
In Awka, the Anambra State capital, there was no gathering of people or protesters seen anywhere as banks were shut, and businesses operated low scale in the capital city amidst the planned protest.
NAN also reports that filling stations in the town were equally closed to business while intra-city commercial transport operations were normal.
However, the popular Aromma junction was busy with computer service providers, PoS operators, and other small businesses operating with caution.
A resident, who wished to be identified as Chijioke, described the situation in Awka as ‘peaceful’.
Chijioke said the low-key activities were because people were afraid of insecurity even though they would have loved to go about their normal businesses.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Nnaghe Itam, commended the residents of the state for their peaceful and calm conduct so far.
Itam assured them of the safety of lives and property and urged the people to go about their normal businesses.
Residents of Ebonyi State have shunned the nationwide hunger protest as people are seen going about their lawful businesses.
Our correspondent who went around the state capital reports that economic and social activities were partially paralysed
Banks, many shops, and petrol stations were shut down
Although the entrance gates in major markets in Abakaliki such as the Abakaliki International Market, Kpirikpri, were seen open there was nobody in those markets
Recall that Governor Francis Nwifuru had hosted a youth engagement summit in Abakaliki where he appealed to youths, citizens, and residents of the state to shun participation in the planned protest, saying it can lead to unintended consequences including violence, destruction of lives and properties, among others.
As the protest wore on secessionist movement, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) restated the position of the group and others in the South-East like Ohanaeze and MASSOB that the Igbo would not participate in the protests, in the interest of peace.
Alleging a clandestine, ‘state-sponsored operation of targeting the Ndigbo, IPoB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, alleged that ‘hoodlums were being hired ”to carry out violent protests in the South-East in particular.
According to the group, “Neither the Ndigbo nor IPoB called for the Nigerians to protest against the leadership’s disastrous performance in Nigeria.
“Interestingly, both the IPoB, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and many other Igbo groups, have warned the Ndigbo not to join the proposed peaceful national protest against hardship and hunger in wider Nigeria.”
*Abuja residents protest, defy warning by FCT, security agencies as Tinubu, Wike meet in Aso Rock
The protests began yesterday in Abuja as protesters staged the protests in different parts of the nation’s capital.
There was palpable tension in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs, as protesters defied security agencies and Federal Government officials’ warnings and trooped out in their numbers to stage the protest.
It was discovered that two factions of the protesters included the #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria protesters and pro-government protesters.
Although the protests had a coloration of peace, there were pockets of disagreements, brawls, and opposition among the protesters, security operatives, and a government official, particularly the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande.
Officers of the Nigeria Police stationed at Eagle Square, Abuja dispersed protesters with canisters and pepper spray during the protest at the venue.
The officers fired canisters at the protesters by 10.00 am after first firing warning non-lethal shots at the ground.
A woman with a baby, who was visibly angry, confronted the police officers and dared them to shoot.
More tension mounted when other protesters too joined her and dared the officers to shoot. In response, the police fired pepper spray as well as teargas canisters to disperse the protesters.
As of the time of filing this report, it couldn’t be confirmed whether the police arrested the woman who confronted the officers with a baby.
Protesters also shouted down the Minister of State for Youths Development, Ayodele Olawande, who arrived at the Eagles Square in Abuja to address the protesters.
When he wanted to address the crowd, the protesters continued to chorus “hunger dey” and prevented him from speaking.
After he was able to restore order, the minister told them that his intention was not to stop the protest. He described himself as a comrade who had attended not less than 100 and 500 protests.
“I’m not here to fight you, I’m not here to ask you not to protest, it is your right. Like I said, I’ve been to over 100-500 protests,” the minister said.
He also assured that he would address the police regarding the shooting of canisters against the protesters.
Protesters who stormed the Moshood Abiola Stadium in their numbers earlier in the morning, disagreed with the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ben Igwe, for restricting the protest to the stadium.
While the protesters were at the entrance of the stadium displaying placards and chanting “hunger dey,” Igwe insisted that they must respect court orders in line with the laws of the land.
Police officers in about 20 Toyota Hilux and other cars as well as soldiers and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers were seen confronting the protesters, including one of the arrowheads of the protest, Deji Adeyanju.
The pro-government protesters chanting “No to Protest” and those led by Endbadgovernance in Nigeria also had some alterations that almost degenerated into chaos.
Consequently, the police deployed helicopters which were seen hovering in the area. It also mounted barbed wires around the stadium.
These moves were made to restore order.
The protests spread to other parts of the capital city as scores of protesters were seen moving around the city centre, including the Central Business District, especially around the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Secretariat as well as the suburban areas such as Kubwa, Katampe, and Dawaki.
In the central area, there were heavy security forces along the roads with police helicopters hovering around the areas.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu yesterday met with the Minister of the FCT, Wike at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Wike, dressed in a white suit, drove into the State House, Abuja, in a Prado SUV for the meeting with President Tinubu at about 4 pm.
Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public at the time of sending this report, it may not be unconnected with the ongoing protests in the nation’s capital which turned violent in some areas.
