Minister summons emergency security meeting
ABUJA: Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Thursday evening summoned an emergency security meeting, apparently to review activities of the #EndBadGovernance protesters on the first day of the nationwide protests.
Wike had earlier in the day commended the protesters for being nonviolent.
However, reports of violence emerged later in the evening when some elements took over the ever-busy Murtala Muhammed (Kubwa) Expressway, setting bonfires, erecting blockades and extorting motorists.
The governments of Kano, Borno, and Yobe states have declared curfew, as the protests that began across Nigeria degenerated into violence in some areas.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano declared a 24-hour curfew in the state with immediate effect.
Yusuf said all security agencies were directed to ensure full and immediate compliance.
The governor announced this while addressing newsmen at the Kano State government house.
He said the action became imperative to ensure full protection of lives and properties in the state as hoodlums and thugs had hijacked the protest to embark on looting and indiscriminate killing of innocent citizens.
Yobe
In Yobe State, the government imposed a 24-hour curfew in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru towns, where some hoodlums took advantage of the protest to vandalise and loot properties.
Dairy Abdulsalam, the Special Adviser to Governor Mai Mala Buni on Security Matters, urged the public to abide by the curfew order.
He urged them to stay at home for peace to reign in the affected areas and the state at large.
According to him, the security agencies have been directed to ensure enforcement and full compliance of the curfew order.
Borno
In Borno State, a 24-hour curfew was imposed across the state.
A suicide bomber had rocked Kawuri Village in Konduga Local Government Area, killing 16 people and injuring 20 others.
According to a statement by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Daso, “In line with our constitutional mandate towards the restoration of law and order, the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum, in consultation with heads of security in the state, finds it expedient to declare 24 hours curfew in the state with immediate effect.
“I, therefore, wish to call upon the good people of Borno State to remain calm and law-abiding. Further developments will be communicated to you accordingly please”.
As the planned nationwide protest against hunger begins today, the organisers and the police, the lead security agency, have held their positions as the former insisted on a street procession, while the latter maintained its stance of having the protest confined to designated spots.
Vanguard will keep you updated with live coverage of the protest with stories, pictures, and videos. Stay with us.
Protest: Governor Yusuf declares 24-hr curfew in Kano
In the face of the unrest arising from the #Endbadgovernance protest in Kano State, Governor Abba Yusuf has declared a 24-hour curfew in the state with immediate effect.
Governor Yusuf, who announced this while addressing newsmen at the Kano State government house, said the action became imperative to ensure full protection of lives and properties in the state.
He said hoodlums and thugs have hijacked the protest to embark on looting and indiscriminate killing of innocent citizens.
Governor Yusuf said all security agencies were directed to ensure full and immediate compliance.
Recall that the protest which started peacefully later turned violent as hoodlums and thugs hijacked the protest.
Protest photos: Protesters make bonfire in Ughelli
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Security agents protecting protesters in Jos – Report
Security personnel in Plateau State are so far ensuring that the protesters remain within the bounds of the peaceful exercise of their right to protest as they man strategic locations in the metropolis.
Stray bullet kills businessman in Kebbi
A stray bullet from a policeman near Yauri River has killed a businessman in his shop in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Our source, Malam Umar Bako Yelwa, said the protest became violent when protesters blocked the federal highway in Yauri town.
He added that while marine police fired bullets to disperse the crowd, a stray bullet hit and killed the innocent plastic seller in his shop.
However, efforts to get the reaction of Kebbi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the PPRO, SP Nafiu Abubakar, didn’t answer calls made to his line.
Also, he didn’t reply to a text message sent to him.
Meanwhile, the situation in the state capital remained calm after the protest in some parts of the town.
Protest: 3 feared killed, many injured in Kaduna
The peaceful protest against bad governance turned violent in Kaduna on Thursday, leaving no fewer than three youths dead and many other protesters injured.
An eyewitness said the number of protesters, mostly youths and the unemployed, outnumbered the security operatives.
They 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.
The eyewitness 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…”
Protests in Nigeria, sit-at-home in Anambra
‘Na je je we de go’, anti-protesters chant in Abuja
Hundreds of anti-protest youths have taken over Abuja to frustrate the planned nationwide protest.
Led by a man who claimed to be Blessing Joel, the demonstrators carried placards with inscription, “No Protest.”
The man that claimed to be Blessing Joel spoke in a form of English with heavy Hausa accent.
Abuja: Vanguard journalist attacked
Vanguard’s journalist, Kingsley Omonobi’s car’s windshield was shattered by a police teargas canister.
Abuja protest photos: Police, teargas, protesters
Abuja: Youths confront Police in Kurudu
A tense standoff between angry youths and police officers emerged at the Kurudu Axis in Abuja, with protesters blocking the road with bonfires.
The youths, fueled by frustration and anger, are demanding attention to their grievances, while the police are working to maintain order and restore normalcy to the area.
The confrontation has brought traffic to a standstill, causing disruptions to daily activities.
Rivers: We’re not against protests, but… — Gov Fubara
Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers State told protesters they were in the right.
However, he said, there was need to remain peaceful.
He spoke during a visit to the protest ground in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
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Protests in Nigeria: Youths block Port Harcourt-Aba Road, Rivers
Lagos: ‘Ebi oooo, ebi oooo’ (‘Hunger ooo, hunger ooo’), woman carrying empty pot joins protest in Ojota
Protests in Nigeria: More images from Ikeja Lagos
Borno: Protesters demand return of fuel subsidy
Protesters along Gomari Airport-Bulumkutu Ward of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
They were mostly youths carrying placards with inscriptions such as ‘Ba Maso in Hausa’ (‘We no agree’); ‘Tinubu must reserve or bring back fuel subsidy’, ‘We are dying of hunger and insecurity’, ‘Just yesterday 20 people were killed in suicide attack in Kawuri of Konduga LGA’, among others.
The protesters were peaceful, even as some security agencies were waving at them.
It was also observed that little business activities are ongoing in some areas with skeletal services at some filling stations.
Situation report
Banks, eateries, fuel stations, super marts, others under lock and keys as armed security men storm Lagos roads
.Danfo drivers make brisk business
.BRT suspends operations
Checks by Vanguard as of 7 am, witnessed special security personnel, tagged: CP Tactical Squad, Lagos State Police Command, stationed at Egbeda Bus Stop, monitoring development.
The roads are 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.
A number of banks, eateries, fuel stations, superstores, and other business enterprises were seen under lock and keys.
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 are in their large number across the metropolis.
Police helicopter was seen on surveillance operating across the metropolis.
Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC vehicles and vans were seen stationed at strategic points at Gani Fawenhimi Freedom Park as well as Peace Park, Ojota area.
Police patrol team on standby at Ojodu Berger under bridge
Images from Effurun Roundabout, Delta State by Akpokona Omafuaire
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