……..Full compliance in FCT, Lagos, Oyo, Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau, Bayelsa, twenty other states
…….No protest in Southeast, Benue as residents sit – at – home, banks, shops, offices shut
……..Borno, Kano govts declare 24hrs curfew
BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS
The first day of the planned 10 days #EndBadGovernance protest recorded heavy toll on protesters as several numbers lost their lives in Niger, Borno, Kaduna, Gombe and Kebbi states
In the Abuja, there was a heavy deployment of security operatives at the entry gates of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to avoid the invasion of the seat of power by protesters.
This is even as the hunger strike recorded a massive compliance in several states, despite the plea by state governors on residents to shun the strike, with several groups reported to have withdrawn from the plan
In the FCT, one police officer was killed in the Nyanya suburb while protesters clashed with security officers at various locations. The police were seen throwing tear gas to disrupt those that converged on the popular Eagle Square for the protests
Several locations in the FCT like Kubwa road, Airport road, Jikwoyi road, Nyanya road, Mpape were blocked by the protesters leaving commuters to trek long distances to their destinations on the first day of the protest
Our correspondent witnessed large numbers in the Nyanya axis of the FCT shouting “Tinubu Bamuyi,” while others were on their motor bikes and cars wearing green leaves as they protest along the major roads which were deserted by the usual vehicles
Some protesters however went violent along the roads as our correspondent spotted areas where they destroyed and looted properties along the Kugbo and Karu axis of the Nyanya Keffi road, as well as extorting motorists and shouting ‘Bamuyi, meaning, there is hunger in the land.
It was gathered that around 1:30 pm about four military patrol vehicles were sited heading towards the area that the miscreants were extorting people.
It was also gathered that as at the time of filing this report, palpable tension was prevailing on the Jikwoyi-Kurudu- Karshi axis of Abuja as some protesters were seen burning tyres on the road before they were dispersed by a heavy combined team of security officials, including the army, Police and Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps.
At the Fire Service end as well as Supreme Court gates of the road leading to the Presidential Villa in Asokoro, there was a large deployment of security personnel comprising soldiers, police and DSS operatives who checked commuters and vehicles accessing the area.
This is, ostensibly, to ward off the daring protesters from infiltrating the seat of power in Abuja.
The ‘protesters’ numbering over 2000, stationed themselves in different locations from the NYSC junction Kubwa, to Phase 3 junction, Dutse junction, Dawaki, Gwarimpa to Katampe in all sides of the highway..
In the south west, hundreds of protesters marched in from the Ikeja axis of the Lagos State capital. The protesters marched through Obafemi Awolowo Road carrying placards with the bold message “Enough is Enough” for hunger and hardship.
Our correspondent reports that when they arrived Alausa Secretariat, the seat of the state government, they met the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of the Alausa Police Station at the scene. She requested the protesters to relocate to Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota which was the authorised venue for protests.
The demonstrators who repeatedly chanted “End Bad Government,” vowed to continue their march to Ojota in their determination to make their voices heard.
It would be recalled a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare on Tuesday July 30 had given a judgement in a preemptive ex parte application filed the state Attorney -General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, seeking to maintain and secure public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property in the state during the period of the protests.
The ruling mandated that the organisers and other residents of Lagos state aiming to participate in the demonstration should converge and remain inside the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park, Ketu area of the state.
Notwithstanding, the restriction, banks, eateries, fuel stations and other business concerns remained under lock and key throughout the day. The roads were virtually empty while few commercial buses, popularly called Danfo, operated.
Armed security personnel took strategic positions across the metropolis. A special security team tagged: CP Tactical Squad, Lagos State Police Command, stationed at Egbeda Bus Stop, monitoring development.
Armoured Personnel carriers, APC, and vans were seen stationed at strategic points at Gani Fawenhimi Freedom Park as well as Peace Park, Ojota area.
In Ibadan, the protesters commenced early in the morning at the Iwo Road Interchange and thereafter occupied major roads to drive home their demands.
The protesters, armed with placards various inscriptions vowed not to back down in their agitations until their demands are met.
Security personnel are also on full alert to avert any possible violence.
Commercial and business activities were crippled in the political capital of the defunct Western Region as residents stayed indoors for fear of civil unrest by the protesters.
Some of the popular markets and business stores in the ancient city such as Bodija, Oje, Ojoo, Adelabu, Orita Challenge were closed for business activities.
Similarly, few workers reported for duties at the Oyo State government secretariat, Agodi with heavily armed security agent on standby.
In Osun State, the protesters hit the major streets of Osogbo, the state capital, an early morning rain.
They started their march from Freedom Park, Osogbo, and moved through the popular MDS Road to Olaiya Junction where the protesters, accompanied by armed security operatives, addressed journalists.
The protesters armed with a large banner with the inscription ‘End bad governance in Nigeria,’ sang songs to express their frustrations over the poor state of the economy.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Osun State Coordinator, Coalition of Concern Nigeria Citizen, Adetunji Ajala, demanded a return of the pump price to N180 per litre.
“Pump price is N800 per litre today. It is not a question of either APC or PDP. What we are going through in this country is affecting everybody and it was caused by bad governance.
“Tinubu should review the policies. We are hungry. The protest is going to last for ten days. We want the pump price to return to N180 per litre,” Ajala said.
“Hunger, poverty and bad policy of this administration are affecting all of us. We are here not because of any political affiliation, not because anybody has given us money. What we have here is a reflection that people are displeased.
“The youth population is the largest and they are the ones suffering most. The office of the citizen is the highest in the land.
We are not afraid of anybody. What we have come to do is to exercise our rights.
Due to the protest, banks and commercial shops were shut in the state capital.
The ever-bubbling Osun Mall was also shut, while there was a heavy presence of security personnel, comprising the army, police, and NSCDC within the mall premises.
Security personnel were also seen at some strategic locations within the state capital, while others were patrolling the major roads.
However, there were vehicular movements, while the environment was relatively peaceful.
In Ondo State, there were no protests even as markets and shops remained shut. Traders at the Oja-Oba were seen playing football along the busy Oba Adesida Road.
Even so, there was heavy security presence at strategic locations around Akure and environs.
Protest did not hold in Ondo State because various stakeholders were approached and talked out of the agitation. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had met with students of Ondo State origin in tertiary institutions.
The students under the auspices of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, National Association of University Students, NAUS, National Association of Ondo State Students, NAOSS, National Female Students Association and indigenous student associations in the State, reasoned with the governor and refused to join the protest.
But top government officials resumed for work at the state Secretariat while the junior workers stayed away.
Security personnel manned strategic locations in the metropolis especially the CBN office, Federal Secretariat and other government structures in the state capital.
Police patrol vehicles went round major streets in the state capital while few vehicle owners, commercial taxi drivers and motorcycles operators were plied their trade within the roads in Akure metropolis.
In Ekiti State, the #EndBadGovernance failed as there was no protest. Banks, markets and traders opened for business.
The relative peace was due to the state government’s earlier meetings with various interest groups including monarchs, student leaders, market women, artisans, drivers’ unions and the security agencies on why they should not take part in the planned protest.
Although there was no threat to peace, armed security men were stationed in strategic places to ensure free movement of persons.
Consequently, banks along the popular Bank Road, opened for business, while traders on the corridor transacted businesses in their shops peacefully
The protests went violent in Maiduguri,Borno state as four persons suspected to be workers were said to have have died at the Kime filling station around the Bolori junction of the metropolis.
Recall that Borno state had earlier witnessed a bomb blast that took place in Kawuri village of Konduga local government area of the state which left 20 people dead with 16 injured.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that the victims/workers of the filling station were shot as a result of stray bullets, while other versions revealed that there was no sign of bullets/gunshots on the victims.
Speaking to one of the filling station attendants, Baba Musa in a telephone call, said, “It was an explosion that took place and killed four persons instantly, while I managed and escape unhurt”.
In Niger state, at least six people have been reportedly killed while some sustained injuries in the ongoing protest in Suleja.
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.
Many passengers and motorists were trapped on the road for hours.
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.
Among those killed was said to be Yahaya Nda Isah, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja, who was hit by a stray bullet.
The bullet reportedly hit Isa on his bike in front of the Suleja Police ‘A’ division where protesters had assembled.
A nephew of the deceased said that his uncle was on 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 to have died on the spot.
One of the residents who did not want his name mentioned told reporters that 3 other people were shot at the same scene while 2 others were shot at the Suleja Junction on Abuja-Kaduna road but could not confirm if other victims were dead
Another resident who said his shop was not far from the Suleja Police “A” division said he had to close to run for his life.
“We heard people shouting and gunshots were heard for about 20 minutes at Emir Roundabout. The situation in Suleja is ugly”, Bala Abdullahi, another resident.
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.
“The miscreants attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze, they were dispersed by the Police and military. Kaduna road and toll gate was cleared”, he said.
When contacted over the phone, Wasiu Abiodun, Police Public Relations Officer in Niger, said, “Let me verify and get back to you.”
Similarly, commercial activities were grounded in Minna,the state capital, as residents remained indoors, while protesters were seen burning tyre andother items as the protest raged
Hundreds of youths and women trouped out to participate in the first day opf the #EndBadGovernance protest in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
Our Correspondent, who monitored the situation in Jalingo reports that, Protesters, who gathered at the Angwan Gadi, Emir of Jalingo’s round-about marched to government house junction, and thereafter, proceeded to Barde/Hanmaruwa way causing traffic jam.
Some of the youths carried placards and the rest chanting, “Bamu a yinka” “Mai kaman da biri” now numbering over 500 are marching through the busy Jalingo roads.
Some of their placards inscriptions reads, “Bring back fuel subsidy” “End Hunger” among others
In Nasarawa state, protesters defied the early morning rain and took to the streets expressing their grievances against the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal government administration.
In Keffi and Karu Local Government Areas of Nasarawa state, protesters in their large numbers blocked the popular Mararaba to Abuja high way, chanting ” We no longer need Tinubu”,” Remove Oil Subsidy” and more in absolute disappointment with the president whose economic policies has rather than better the citizenry, turned Nigerians into beggars. They alledged .
Some of the youths trekked from the Abacha Road down to Orange Market, but where however repelled by the security
The protesters in Keffi Local Government Area also barricaded the Keffi Abuja express road leaving some commuters stranded, but with the presence of the security’s normalcy was returned as residents remained in their homes while commercial activities were grounded.
When contacted the Nasarawa State Police Command Spokesman DSP Ramhan Nansel said they were on top of the situation to ensure there was no breakdown of law
“At first some boys came out in Mararaba to block the road. We called their traditional rulers and Mai angwa to talk to them, and normalcy has been restored the roads are now cleared.
“So we are managing them professionally” Ramhan confirmed
Tin Kaduna state, the peaceful protest against bad governance turned violent, leaving no fewer than three youths dead and many other protesters injured.
Eye witness said the number of protesters mostly youths and the unemployed, which had outnumbered the security operatives, marched from the Rigasa area and from the Abakwa end, towards the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the official residence and office of the state Governor.
One of the protesters said, ” We were matching peacefully and no one was carrying any offensive weapon. I think the security operatives near the Government House were threatened by our large number.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, report indicated that the office of the Kaduna State Traffic Agency ( KASTLEA) was touched by the protesters.
Major streets in the state capital were deserted, markets and shops closed due to fear the protest might be hijacked by hoodlums.
CURFEW IMPOSED IN BORNO, KANO STATES
Meanwhile Governor Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, and his Borno state counterpart, Zulum have declared a 24-hour curfew in their states after the protest against economic hardship turned violent.
The governors announced the curfew in a broadcast at the government house on Thursday.
Yusuf directed all security agencies in the state to “ensure full and immediate compliance” with the curfew.
The governor said, “it is regrettable that the whole protest that was meant to be a demonstration of the democratic right to voice our concerns was hijacked by thugs and hoodlums who embarked on looting of business premises, government properties and maiming of innocent citizens”.
“Such miscreants have become persistent in wanton destructions of private and public properties aided and by enemies of the state who have been reported to the security agencies few days back,” Yusuf said.
“After exhaustive deliberations during an emergency state security council meeting, it was collectively decided that 24-hour curfew should be put in place to prevent further looting and vandalization of shops, including indiscriminate killing and maiming of innocent citizens.
“On this note therefore and based on the powers conferred on me by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the chief security officer of the state, I have therefore, declared 24-hour curfew in the state with immediate effect.
“Fellow citizens, this action is made to ensure the full protection of your lives and properties as well as protecting public assets, places of worship and business premises.
“As we move forward, I urge all citizens to remain vigilant and to continue working together to maintain the peace and harmony we cherish so much.
“Let us not allow the actions of a few selfish individuals and miscreants to divide us or detract us from our shared goals. Together, we can overcome all challenges and build a stronger, more resilient Kano state.
“All security agencies in the State are hereby directed to ensure full and immediate compliance.”
Yusuf commended the “vast majority of peaceful protesters who stated their concerns responsibly”
Meanwhile the South east zone, as well as Benue state witnessed no sign of protest as residents were seen to have remained at home. There was however no sign of commercial activities in Abia state, Imo, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states as banks, shops and offices remained closed