17 Nigerians were reportedly killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna and Jigawa during the #Endbadgovernance protest held across the country on
17 Nigerians were reportedly killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna and Jigawa during the #Endbadgovernance protest held across the country on Thursday.
Initially, the rally began peacefully but took a violent turn in some states when the angry protesters resisted police instructions.
Security personnel and armoured trucks were deployed in many cities and towns.
The police also had another encounter with protesters at the Eagles Square, Abuja.
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.
Shortly after, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, arrived at the scene and attempted to address the protesters, who shouted him down with chants of “hunger dey.”
As the tension and confrontation between the security agencies and protesters increased, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, called for dialogue, saying the government was willing to discuss with the youths.
Wike, who was later spotted at the Presidential Villa, appealed to protesters in the nation’s capital to “sit down” with the government and pursue dialogue, describing it as a better peace process.
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.
Also in Borno, four people were reportedly killed after suspected Boko Haram members infiltrated a protest over the rising cost of living in Borno State.
Thirty-four others sustained injuries in the incident.
In a statement on Thursday, Farouq Lawal, commissioner of police in Borno, said the commander of the explosive ordnance device Base 13, was “swiftly” deployed to the scene.
“Boko Haram militants infiltrated a protest, killing four individuals and injuring 34 others,” Lawal said.
In Kaduna, report had it that one of the victims was shot in front of the Government House, Dutse, while the other was killed at Shiwarin town when the protesters attempted to close the Maiduguri-Kano Road.
The protesters allegedly torched the All Progressives Congress headquarters and burnt party vehicles in Dutse, the state capital.
In Katsina, the state capital, protesters wielding placards with various inscriptions stormed the Government House to register their grievances.
The protest turned violent as police shot teargas at the protesters looting and burning of vehicles belonging to the NSCDC.
Violence erupted when protesters gathered at the Modoji Road roundabout, near the Government House in Katsina, and attempted to force their way into the premises to meet with the acting Governor.
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