.Four shot dead, 15 injured in Niger as hoodlums hijack protest
.As Govs slam 24-hr curfew in Borno, Kano, Yobe
.Protest turn violent in Abuja, Kaduna, others
.Protesters destroy yet-to-be-commissioned Kano Digital Park
.South East shun protest as Rivers protesters defy downpour
.Lagos, Oyo, Osun record peaceful protests
.Police barricade main road to Presidential Villa, NASS
CHIGOZIE AMADI
Mixed actions has continued to greet the much anticipated #Endbadgovernance protest that took place in various states of the nation .Some protesters turned violent in some states , with killings and lootings while others were peaceful
Socio-economic activities came to a halt as businesses were badly affected as most residents chose to remain indoors.
In many states in the north Protesters came out in their numbers taken over the streets to register their frustrations with the current economic situation in Nigeria. While in the west it was more of a peaceful protest, most states in the south east observed their protest by sitting at home.
In many states ,the protesters were seen displaying placards with inscriptions;
“We are tired of bad government, we say no to high cost of fuel price, high cost of food items, insecurity, hunger. Nigerians are tired, Tinubu must go.
Some protesters expressed their grievances over the sufferings of the citizens, saying “Nigerians are dying while the government officials live big”.
They called on the government to cut down the high cost of living in the country.
In Lagos, at about 9:45am, protesters were sighted on the streets of Ikeja, Lagos to protest the hunger and hardship in the country.
Our correspondent observed that the protesters marched from Underbridge at Awolowo Way chanting anti-government song.
Some of their pacards read, ‘Reverse the bad policies,’ ‘the masses are suffering,’ ‘there is hunger in the land,’ among others.
The organisers, many of whom who are young said they are frustrated by the country’s economic conditions and have vowed “days of rage” in demonstrations.
There was heavy security presence including operatives of the Lagos State Anti-Crime Outfit – Rapid Response Squad (RRS) with patrol vans, heavy anti-riot gun trucks and black marias.
Similarly, ‘End Bad Governance’ rally was held at Ketu where dozens of protesters lambasted the government for the economic hardship.
One of the protesters who craved anonymity said, They put us in penury, they steal our commonwealth. We can’t take it anymore.”
However, pro-government demonstration was also held in Alausa, Ikeja.
At the Road adjoining the State Secretariat and House of Assembly, protesters converged in their number.
They were seeing praying for the good of the nation and the citizenry.
In Abuja group of #ENDBADGOVERNMENT protesters gathered at Eagle Square in Abuja on Thursday morning to express their concerns about the state of the nation.
Despite a court order approving the use of Moshood Abiola National Stadium for the protest, the police attempted to disperse the crowd by firing tear gas into the air.
However, the protesters remained undeterred, continuing to sing and display the national flag and placards.
The protesters, who were orderly and determined, also gathered at Moshood Abiola Stadium, where they showed high spirits and resolve to express their grievances.
The police efforts to disperse them were unsuccessful, as the protesters remained steadfast in their peaceful demonstration.
In Bornu, Youths in their thousands besieged and blocked major roads in the state capital chanting (Ba muyi) we no go agree, creating hold up and motorist finding difficult to pass in solidarity with the nationwide protest.
The youths including under aged children defied calls by the government officials, traditional, religious, and community leaders, youths in their hundreds blocked Jos Road,, Kwaljwa round about and other major roads of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital , protest of bad governance, insecurity and hunger
To disperses the crowd, heavily armed mobile police and other security agencies deployed to the scene started shooting in the air, forcing the youths to respond by throwing stones on the security and burnt down police vehicles at Arabic Teachers College Area.
One person was reportedly knocked down, while many others sustained injury as violence erupted.
In a swift reaction, the team of heavily armed mobile police were quickly deployed to the scene shooting tear gas to disperse the crowd. And maintain normalcy, the situation that made the youths to start throwing stones on the police.
To ensure the situation did not get out of hand and that the Boko Haram insurgents did not take advantage of the protest to wreck havoc, the Borno state government has impose 24 hours curfew on the state.
The Borno state police command in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Nahum Daso said “Inline with our constitutional mandate towards the restoration of law and order his Excellency the executive Governor of Borno State Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum in consultation with heads of security in the state, finds it’s expedient to declare 24hrs curfew in the state with immediate effect.”
” In view of the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security and law enforcement agencies toward preservation of law and order in the state. You are all aware of the incident that took place at kawori which was the detonation of improvise explosive devices ordinance device which lead to the death of (16) persons while several others were critically injured and on admission across various Government hospitals in the state”, the Police said.
The police therefore called on the good people of Borno State to remain calm and law abiding and further developments will be communicated the residents accordingly.
The youths defied the curfew and continued with the protest.
Also, Protesters came out in their numbers taking over the streets of Jalingo to register their frustrations with the current economic situation in Nigeria.
Some protesters expressed their grievances over the sufferings of the citizens, saying “Nigerians are dying while the government officials live big”.
They called on the government to cut down the high cost of living in the country.
“Taraba State and Nigeria at large is blessed with numerous natural resources, but her citizens are dying while few feed fat.
“We cannot be living in a rich country but still remain poor.
“We can hardly feed. We can’t train our children anymore, our children are being driven out from school on daily basis.”
They were chanting, “We are hungry, there is hunger in the land, Tinubu must go”.
The protesters were seen on Hammaruwa Way, Road block, while Security men were situated in key areas such as roadblocks, Stadium, Government buildings amongst others.
The protesters who are mostly children aged 8-13 and youths took to the streets, chanting,
“Bamu yi, bamu yi,” which translates to “We are not doing, we are not doing,” to draw attention to the challenges they are going through.
The protest began on the popular Hamaruwa Way and proceeded towards the flyover bridge, a notable landmark in the city.
The participants, primarily children and teenagers, were vocal about their grievances, demanding immediate action to alleviate their suffering.
DAILY CHAMPION, reports that the protesters came out as early as possible to express their minds in ending bad governance, economic hardship, hike in electricity tariff, removal of fuel subsidy and Insecurity that has engulfed the country.
The protesters were closely monitored by the security agents which include, the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Security agents were seen struggling to contain a large group of protesters who had taken control of the busy Abuja-Keffi highway.
The protesters, mostly Okada riders, gathered at the Nyanya axis, chanting “ba muayi” (“we are no longer interested” in Hausa) and wielding dangerous weapons.
They barricaded the road with burning tires, threatening to burn any vehicle attempting to transport passengers from the Nyanya park.
Despite efforts by security forces, including police, civil defense, and soldiers, the protesters overwhelmed them and crossed the Karu bridge, marching towards Kugbo.
The situation has left hundreds of passengers stranded at the Nyanya park, with both commercial and private vehicles prohibited from transporting passengers.
Additional military reinforcements have arrived to try to bring the situation under control and reopen the road, but the protesters remain defiant.
In an effort however to ensure that it does not escalate into a violent situation, more trucks of soldiers have arrived and are fighting to bring the situation under control in order to reopen the road.
The defiant protesters have however forced their way past the Karu bridge and are currently marching towards Kugbo
However, Four persons have reportedly been killed while some sustained injuries on Thursday at the ongoing ‘endbad governance’ protests in Suleja, Niger.
The deceased were said to have been killed by stray bullets while the security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted a barricade on a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some security personnel who were around the barricade could not control the youths that had out-numbered them.
However, a reinforcement team was sent to the scene where pandemonium occurred in Hassan Dallatu and Church roads in the Suleja area.
DSC Abubakar Muti, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in Minna, confirmed that some people lost their lives during the protests in Suleja.
“We have confirmed the death of four persons so far, although an unconfirmed report is saying that the death toll has risen to eight, we will still confirm and get back to you,” he said.
Muti said that trouble started when some youth tried to vandalise public properties in the area during the protests, prompting the security agencies to mobilise to defend the facilities.
According to him, the security agencies came out in their numbers, adding, ”right now ,the security agencies had since restored normalcy in the area.”
He enjoined the public to go about their legitimate businesses in the area and report any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency.
However, No fewer than 15 protesters, including a policeman, yesterday lost their lives on the first day of the protest against hardship in the country.
Those killed included six at Suleja in Niger State; four in Maiduguri, Borno State; three in Kaduna State; and one in Kebbi State.
Aside from those killed during the protest, a curfew was also declared in Borno and Kaduna states, as the protests, which started on a peaceful note, turned violent later.
Clashes between the police and protesters were equally recorded in Abuja, Delta and Bayelsa states but the protest was largely peaceful in Lagos, Oyo and Osun states.
At Suleja, where dozens of protesters also sustained injuries, victims were said to have been killed while security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted barricades on a section of Abuja-Kaduna highway, entrapping hundreds of passengers and motorists for hours.
Some policemen who were around the barricade, could not control the youths who outnumbered them.
However, a reinforcement team was said to have been 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 Suleja Police ‘A’ division where protesters had assembled.
A nephew of the deceased said his uncle was on his bike when the bullet fired to disperse 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 a 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, simply identified as Mallam Abu, also died on the spot, having been hit by stray bullets.
One of the residents, who did not want his name in print, said three other people were shot at the same scene, while two 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 closed his shop and ran for his life.
“We heard people shouting and gunshots were heard for about 20 minutes at Emir Roundabout. The situation in Suleja is ugly,” said Bala Abdullahi, another resident.
Protesters burnt down Tafa local government secretariat, Sabon Wuse, along Kaduna-Abuja expressway at about 9:30 am.
Besides setting the secretariat ablaze, two cars were also burnt down, while two others were vandalized and valuables looted in the secretariat.
The development, it was gathered, created a traffic logjam along the ever-busy expressway before a combination of security agencies mobilized to the area and dispersed the miscreants.
However, Residents of Imo state particularly Owerri the state capital, Thursday shunned the Nationwide Protest against the current economic hardship facing Nigerians
Some of the people in the state were seen playing indoor games like draft, and cards saying when asked why they did not go out for the protest, that they were obeying the order by the Igbo Apex body, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide
In Owerri, the state capital some people were seen playing football in school fields near their residential areas
A front line politician of APC extraction in Owerri, Chief Gabriel Ndionye Ibezimakor told Champion when contacted that he supported none participation of our people in the Protest because of the experience we suffered in the hands of the gunmen who terrorised the state for three days
Another contributor, Comrd Chukwudi Anozie also said that it will be very unpatriotic for any Igboman or woman to ignore the instructions to the people of the South Eastern states on the said Nationwide Protest by the Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide and join the protest
He saw the protest as having political undertones recalling that the people of the South Eastern states suffered so much in the last administration of Mohammadu Buhari
Comrd Anozie, who is a youth leader of one of the youth groups in the state and a graduate of political Science from Imo State University ( IMSU) Owerri, noted that the country Nigeria is a country of all the geo–political zones in the country and therefore no particular zone should assume superiority over others
He further recalled , ” some time ago, before his passing, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Engr Chief Emmanuel C Iwuanyanwu complained so much about the marginalisation of the people of the South Eastern states by the Buhari Administration and yet they did not listen to the elder statesman”
According to him, ” what is happening now should make the people of our zone to come together and redress their position in Nigeria”.
In Umuahia , Abia state capital Protesters were not seen on the streets , rather residents decided to sit at home or stay indoors ,while some residents who spoke with our Correspondent, said it is their own way of protesting the hunger in the country, others said they stayed indoors out of fear of the unknown. Most shops were under lock and key, as the roads were desserted with few number of vehicles seen plying the roads. The popular and usually bustling Isigate in Umuahia,was almost empty with few traders spotted in front of their shops.However security men were seen stationed at strategic places to ensure no individual breach the peace in the town.
Our Correspondent, who moved round the metropolis observed that streets and major roads were empty with few people seen at the side of the roads discussing. Shops, offices , banks, markets , Public and private offices were closed, bringing economic activities to a halt.
There is no protest in Ebonyi . However, it’s been observed that residents are gripped with palpable fear as some people decided to stay indoors and watch what will happen. There are skeletal services of activities in the state. Banks are under lock and key while some filling stations open, others did not. Few vehicles are seen plying the road. Some shops are open while some are not. Traders in Abakaliki international market said they were observing prayer and promised to open as soon as they round off their prayers. In summary, there is an uneasy calm in the state. Also security agents are deployed to every nook and cranny of the the state to forestall any breach of security that could arise anywhere anytime.
Also in Anambra, With the #endbadgovernment protest going on in some states in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Awka, the Anambra State Capital and its environs have remained calm.
When our correspondent took a walk around the city, there was an uneasy calm as most people stayed indoors while few shops, especially, provision and POS were opened in the streets for business.
The roads were equally deserted. At the ever busy Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, only few vehicles were seen riding on the road. Petrol stations along the road were also closed.
Banks were equally closed for business as people that went to make financial transactions were turned back by the bank securities.
At the Eke Awka market, only few traders opened for business while most shops were under lock and key. Few others opened just one door to their shop for skeletal business while being watchful of any suspicious movement.
The timber market area was a dead zone as all the shops selling building materials were under lock and key.
Meanwhile, few keke napep (tricycle) which is the main mode of transportation within the city were seen plying the road.
Though majority of the people interviewed gave a nod to the protest, a trader at the eke, Ijeoma Ikechebe, who sells fruits described the protest as unnecessary, saying that it will not change anything, rather people will lose their lives in the protest.
She said, “Nigeria is not a sophisticated clime where protest works. Yes, we need change in the system of governance here, but I bet you people will end losing their lives for this. Our government doesn’t have listening ear. They don’t care about the massed. They only care when they come to beg me and you for vote”.
On his part, a keke rider, Peter Obum said that came to hassle to get money to feed his family.
According to him, the protest is a good idea to enable the leaders sit up.
“Our leaders have taken us for a ride too much. Look at the cost of food stuff in the market and it keeps rising everyday. The price you buy something today, is not the price you buy it tomorrow.
“I have five children and this is the business zi use to feed and pay their school fees. The lawmakers are taking jumbo salaries while their children are abroad, so, how will they feel the pain of the common man. They seriously need to cut down the cost of governance if they mean we’ll for us at all. It’s really sad. There was I just parked my keke under a tree shade and started shedding tears. I’m a graduate, no job. I saved money to travel abroad, the agent ran away with my money. Infact, I was so depressed that and felt like dying.
“I’m doing higher purchase, sometimes, it’s difficult to make enough money to give to the owner on daily basis and have something left for yourself. Nigeria is a blessed with every resources you can think of but our leaders keep destroying it. It’s painful. Other African countries that we are richer than by all standard are well organised and doing better than us with the little they have.”
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the Onitsha main market was also closed for business.
Meanwhile, Thousands of protesters have taken over the streets of Port Harcourt, Capital city of oil rich Rivers State to register their frustrations with the current economic situation in Nigeria.
The protesters were seen displaying placards with inscriptions; We are tired of bad government, we say no to high cost of fuel price, high cost of food items, insecurity, hunger. Nigerians are tired, Tinubu must go.
One of the demonstrators, while speaking with journalists on Thursday during the protest, expressed the grievances over the sufferings of the citizens, saying “Nigerians are dying while the government officials live big”.
He called on the government to cut down the high cost of living in the country.
Another protester lamented that, “Nigeria is so rich, blessed with numerous natural resources, but her citizens are dying while few feed fat. We cannot come from a rich country and remain poor.
“We can hardly feed. We can’t train our children anymore, our children are being driven out from school on daily basis.”
Our correspondent reports that the protesters marched to the Rivers State Government House gate, calling on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to address them.
They were chanting, “We are hungry, there is hunger in the land, Tinubu must go”.
Addressing the protesters, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara commended the protesters for organizing themselves peacefully during the protest.
The governor promised to communicate their message to the Federal Government.
Governor Fubara said the government at the state is doing everything possible to make life easy for the people.
He appealed for support for the government at the federal and state level, while urging them to be patient with president Tinubu for his policies to mature.
.#EndBadGovernance protest rocks Osun amid heavy security
Some youths in Osun under the aegis of Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, on Thursday, joined the nationwide protests against hunger and suffering.
Security personnel were stationed at some strategic places such as Olaiya, Old garage, freedom Park, governor’s Secretariat, Abere, Igbona, Stadium among others
The protesters who converged at Freedom Park through Olaiya-Ogo Oluwa, Ogoluwa, House of Assembly towards Governor’s office, were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as “End hunger now, we are hungry now, palliative won’t end hunger”, “Revert fuel price to Pre-May 29, 2023 price”, “we want food price control with immediate effect”, “Bring back fuel subsidy”, “Reverse electricity tariff”, among others.
Speaking on the side line of the protest the Coordinator of Coalition of Concern Nigeria Citizen in Osun state, Ajala Adetunji, said the protest became a necessity in order to express their dissatisfaction against the present hardship in the country.
He noted that the protest will last for ten days but might be reviewed due to the coming Osun-Osogbo festival.
In his words, “Hunger, poverty and bad policy is affecting all of us. We are here not because of any political affiliation, not because anybody is given a dime, what we have seen is a function of the people and the community that we belong to.
“The youth population is the largest population and they are the one suffering most. The office of the citizen is the highest office in the land.
“We are not afraid of anybody. What we have come to do is to exercise our rights. According to the constitution of Nigeria, we are here to establish what we are passing through. Many people are saying we should not come out. Why are they saying that?
“What we are fighting for is for the people. Petrol price is N800 today. It is not a question of either APC or PDP. What we are passing through in this country is affecting everybody.
“Tinubu should review the policies. We are hungry. The protest is going to last for ten days. We are going to review our own in Osun because of Osun-Osogbo festival.”
.Ibadan witnessed peaceful protests as businesses remain shut
The much anticipated #Endbadgovernance protest took place in the city of Ibadan, the ancient capital of Oyo State with scores of participants who staged peaceful protest in some parts of the city.
The protest which was carried out amidst heavy presence of security agents started at the University of Ibadan, with a handful of demonstrators who carried placards with various inscriptions.
Though, no casualty was recorded, all major markets in the city were under lock and keys , while the markets were deserted.
It was gathered that some groups and organisations organised the protests which started at various locations within the ancient city.
One of the groups started its protest in front of the University of Ibadan while another one started at Iwo Road while another protest started at the Mokola roundabout and another at Dugbe.
Commercial banks, petrol stations, shopping malls, markets and shops, schools, government establishments and other public infrastructures were also shut.
It was gathered that traders at the spare parts market at Araromi Gate have warned their colleagues not to open their shops today.
A similar incident was reported at Bodija and other markets in the ancient city.
It was observed that the Eleyele -Eruwa Road, Eleyele -Dugbe Road, Sango -Eleyeye Road, and Challenge- Ring Road were deserted with only a few people passing the roads.
Recall that the organisers of the nationwide protest, Take It Back Movement, had announced that the protests would hold across the federation from August 1 to August 10, 2024.
The protest organisers are making the following 10 demands from President Bola Tinubu administration:
HUNGER
Reduce the cost of food immediately, with solutions like food importation, subsidised credits, and intervene in logistics and storage challenges.
COST OF LIVING
Address the rising cost of living: Reduce pump price of fuel to N195/ltr to reflect current economic challenges; Reduce electricity tariffs, and import taxes.
INSECURITY
Curb insecurity across the country: stop diverting security resources (money & people) and immediately prosecute known instigators & criminals. Resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs) immediately.
GOVERNMENT WASTE / COST OF GOVERNANCE/ BLOATED NASS
PERMANENTLY reduce by 50% the running costs of the executive and National Assembly and fully implement the Oronsaye Report to scrap agencies and reduce the size of government. Scrap hardship, entertainment, and all other NASS allowances and immediately remove all 7,447 projects worth N2.24 trillion inserted by the National Assembly in the 2024 federal budget.
#EndSARS
Release ALL #EndSARS protesters; obey ECOWAS judgement; make public the #EndSARS Judicial Panel Reports and implement recommendations, including payment of compensations.
PROTECT FARMS AND FARMERS
Provide security to farmers across the country, restore stolen lands, subsidise farm inputs – seeds, fertilisers, insecticides and ban destructive GMOs.
HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT
Declare a state of emergency on education and increase budgetary allocation to education and healthcare by 20% and revert to the old National Anthem.
ELECTORAL REFORM
Implement the Justice Uwais report on Electoral Reform and include mandatory electronic balloting and transmission to
IREV, ending with an executive Electoral Bill to the National Assembly by October 1.
The new Electoral Act must be signed by December 2024.
ESTABLISH A LIVING WAGE
Go back to the negotiating table for an implementation plan to establish an unemployment/living wage. Enforce implementation across board. Create immediate employment for youths and clear ALL backlog of pensions.
CONSTITUTIONAL AND JUDICIAL REFORMS
Sponsor Executive Bill to the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to allow for referendums. Nigerians want to vote on a new constitution! The process of appointment and discipline of judges should be transparent.
.Police barricade main road to Presidential Villa, NASS
However, The hunger and bad governance protest organised by a group known as Take Back Nigeria and other youth groups in the Federal Capital Territory which initially looked as if it would not hold later turned violent as the Police, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence NSCDC mobilized to disperse the protesters who later came into the territory in large numbers.
The protesters who were carrying placards with the inscription ‘End Bad Government Now,’ ‘Revolution Now’ and ‘We are Hungry’ among other inscriptions were vehemently resisted by the officers of the Nigerian Police, the Army and the NSCDC who engaged them in the Head of Service of the Federation office axis of the federal secretariat complex.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that the protesters who were over 12000 in number in the morning moved from the Moshood Abiola National Stadium to the Eagles Square where they moved from one corner to another to protest bad governance, insecurity and hunger.in Nigeria.
They later moved away from the Eagles Square towards the main road leading to the Presidential Villa where they sang and danced to show that they were really out to take decisive actions against the federal government for not leaving up to its responsibility of providing security and welfare for the citizenry.
They sang and chanted that they are all tired of bad governance in Nigeria by the All Progressives Congress APC federal government led by President Bola Tinubu and called on the government to retrace it’s steps or give way for another.
However, the protesters were pursued by the Police, Army and the NSCDC officers and men who used their operational vehicles to dispersed them by throwing tear gas canisters at different locations within the range of arena of the protest.
Police officers shot sporadically into the air many tear gas to dispersed the protesters but they remained defiant singing and displaying their placards and also throwing stones and other dangerous objects against the security forces.
An eye witness said that over twenty protesters were arrested by the Police officers and men during the protest as they engaged the protesters in shouting and shooting to disperse them.
Two photojournalists Mr Jide Onyekunle of Daily Independent Newspaper and Mr Abayomi Fayese of the Nation Newspaper who followed the protesters from the Moshood Abiola National Stadium to the Eagles Square were later threatened with arrest or put behind bars by the Commissioner of Police FCT CP Bennett Igwe and some other officers.
Although, the Police did not eventually whisk away the two photojournalists, they were sternly warned not to come close to the Eagles Square to cover the protests as the Police boss said that the protesters didn’t get approval of the FCT Administration to use the Eagles Square.
During the protest, the Police officers used barbed wire to barricade the main road leading to the Three Arms Zone housing the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the National Assembly Complex.
