#EndBadGovernance Protest: Many Killed, Losses Counted
More Than 17 Killed Already, Casualty Lists Grow
More than 17 persons have been killed across Northern states and others during the ongoing #EndBadGovernenance protest in Nigeria.
As number of casualties continue to grow in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, Jigawa during the #Endbadgovernance protest which was held across the country on Friday.
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 demonstration started peacefully but turned violent, occasioning aggressive and provocative engagement between the demonstrators and the security operatives which have paralysed many business activities in the troubled parts.
In Abuja, a protesters was shot dead around the Kubwa expressway. It was reported by an eyewitness that the victim, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, was shot dead after he became violent by impeding the movement of the people and that of the security personnel on the highway.
#EndBadGovernance Protest: Many Killed, Losses Counted
She said, ‘’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 at them, killing the young man. Everybody took off on seeing the man fall.”
It was also reported that the police engaged in various altercations with the protesters. At the Eagles’ Square, Three Arms Zone, close to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, they had another heated exchange with the protesters which almost led to chaos but the heat was eventually cooled after the arrival of the Minister of states for Youth development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande.
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 dislodge the protesters, who only shouted back in defence. 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.”
However, he pacified the situation, asked them to be calm, noting that his attempt and effort were not to disperse or discontinue the protest but encourage them to be nonviolent about it.
“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,’’ Olawande disclosed.
But soon after his departure, the security personnel fired more toxic gas and pepper spray to dislodge the demonstrators. They fired non-lethal bullets at the ground to cow the protesters into fear in order to disperse them around 10:20am the same morning.
Could no longer bear it, a courageous female protester confronted, with her months-old baby held up in her hands, the Police Officers and daring them to shoot.
Speaking to the journalists present at the scene, she revealed that she came out, with her baby, to protest after her husband was gruesomely murdered by bandits in Katsina.
“I came to protest the hardship in Nigeria and the police are shooting Teargas at us. Do they also want to kill my baby? She asked. Echoing in the background was a voice of an unknown protester who said, “People cannot eat. Things are hard.”
In another report, some police officers were spotted in a helicopter firing teargas at a group of protesters stationed at the gate. As early as 6am on Thursday, protesters were already seen gathered at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in accordance with the court order served earlier on Wednesday, confining them only into the stadium.
#EndBadGovernance Protest: Many Killed, Losses Counted
Howbeit, they rebuffed the police order to be restricted only in main bowl of the stadium, and eventually rallied out to Eagles’ Square when they learnt that some other protesters were being intimidated by the security operatives.
Meanwhile, before this period, five bus loaded with pro-government demonstrators spotted around the stadium placarding that they were against the hunger protest. But after a few minutes, one of them confessed to have been paid N5,000 to disrupt the ongoing protest.
In his statement, he said. “They (organisers) picked us up and said they would give us N5,000 to protest against these people. I have collected N2,000 and I am waiting for my balance. I am hungry but the money given to me would not solve my problem,” he said.
Mr. Damilare Adenola, the Director of Mobilisation, Take It Back Movement, reiterated his commitment to continuing the protest until their demands are duly met.
Among of the demands put forward by the protesters, are that the premium motor spirit, known as petrol, price should be reverted to N100/litre, curb insecurity, electoral reforms, among others.
Adenola said, “The various orders of court restricting protesters to particular locations are an aberration. Our presence here today is an announcement that we have been oppressed for too long. Today, we have risen.
“We are saying that unless President Bola Tinubu acceded to our demands, we will remain on the streets. We want to see the President on the streets. During the protest, he was on the streets.”
One of the organisers of the protest, Michael Lenin, also said it would continue regardless of the intimidation by the security agencies.
#EndBadGovernance Nationwide Protest: North has been cajoled – Adamu Garba
Adamu Garba, a chieftain of the All Progressive Party (APC) said on Friday that the Northern region of Nigeria has been cajoled into protest of destruction, violence and vandalism.
He said northern conveners mustering for the demonstration should now realize that they have been used as the tools to destroy their commonwealth.
“The North is played into this protest of vandalism. Those northern influencers pushing for this protest should. by now, realize that they have been used to destroy their commonwealth,” he posted on his verified social media handle.
#EndBadGovernance Protest: Many Killed, Losses Counted
Credit – Nigerian Army Headquarters
#EndBadGovernenance Nationwide Protest: We Will Intervene If Destruction And Looting Persist, says CDS Christopher Musa
Reacting to the ongoing nationwide protest against bad governance, Major-General Christopher Musa has reminded the public of the roles of the Armed forces in peace keeping, securing and safeguarding the nation.
He said, “We want the support of all Nigerians, from the FG to the State and Local Governments, let us avoid anything that will bring us mayhem within our communities. Yesterday, we had seen the level of destruction that has been carried out and so you can imagine if this continues for so long, the Armed Forces and the entire military security agencies will not stand by and see that to continue.
Warned those behind looting and destruction of both public and private assets to desist from such a destructive act and also appeal to the media to end the coverage of the ongoing nationwide protest.
“So we want to warn those that are recalcitrant that we will not fold our hands and see our country destroyed. We will take action and the action we will take, we will take it professionally. Anyone that is caught will be taken to the Court to be dealt with.
“And again for the media, I want to also appeal because I noticed throughout yesterday all the stations were hooked up to the occasion.
“This is not an election thing, don’t give them that coverage for them to feel… Because there are some of them who are looking for just moments to be on the screen,” said, Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defense Staff
#EndBadGovernance Protest: Many Killed, Losses Counted. #EndBadGovernance Protest: Many Killed, Losses Counted