Six of those killed resulted from the clash between suspected hoodlums masquerading as protesters and armed personnel at the Benin Correctional Centre and Oko Medium Security Prisons, as the hoodlums attacked the prisons and freed hundreds of inmates.
The casualty in Delta was a 12-year-old protester who fell from the lorry he clung on to and died instantly, while that of Abuja was a young protester stabbed on Saturday by some hoodlums but died yesterday from injuries sustained in the attack.
This came on a day #EndSARS and pro-SARS protesters clashed at the Central Business District in Abuja, propelling the Commissioner of Police FCT command, CP Bala Ciroma, to appeal for calm between both parties.
This is even as President Muhammadu Buhari, in his reaction to the ongoing #EndSARS protests, said yesterday it is the right of youths to protest and make certain demands from their leaders. Also yesterday, soldiers were deployed to all strategic points in Abuja where the protesters usually converged as well as all government assets, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, National Secretariat, among others.
Corrections Centre, Police stations attacked, arms carted away
Besides the prisons attack, Vanguard gathered that hoodlums also attacked police stations at Ugbekun, Idogbo and Oba Market where they made away with arms and ammunition.
It was also learned that the Benin prisons has a capacity for 700 inmates, while that of Oko had a capacity for 1,300, 120 of whom are condemned criminals.
Vanguard gathered that four inmates were killed while trying to escape at Oko, while some escaped with gunshot injuries. Two persons were also said to have died of gunshots as the protesters engaged prison guards in gunfire in Benin prison.
The surging protesters at Oko were said to have overpowered the five armed guards at the Oko facility and had a free day looting all shops along the road leading to the prison.
They reportedly carted away valuables from the offices of prison officials. It was gathered that immediately after the attack on Benin Prisons, security was alerted at Oko but calls to the Nigerian Army and the Police for reinforcement were not heeded hence the ease with which the suspected hoodlums overpowered the prison guards.
A prison source said: “They came in their thousands and their mission was to free inmates. They have been communicating with the inmates because even before they broke into the facility, the inmates were already rioting inside the place.”
At press time yesterday, the management of the Edo Command of the prisons is yet to issue an official statement.
Obaseki imposes curfew
As a result of the violent turn of events, the state government yesterday imposed a 24-hour curfew in the first instance to check the excesses of the hoodlums masquerading as protesters.
A statement by Secretary to State Government, SSG, Osarodion Ogie, said the curfew was to take effect from 4pm yesterday.
“This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #ENDSARS protesters.
“While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state.
“By the directive, schools and businesses are to shut down activities accordingly. Those who cannot move safely are to stay put between now and 4pm till calmness is restored.
“Parents are advised to rein in their children, youths and wards to forestall further breakdown of law and order. “The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order. Therefore, anyone found outside in violation of the curfew would be dealt with according to the law.”
Schools shut
The protests shut pupils and students out of schools, following blockades mounted on streets which prevented vehicular movement and parents from accessing schools in the Edo State capital. Consequently, most schools failed to open, forcing some pupils and students who found their way to their schools early to return home.
Similarly, residents, workers, and traders are having difficulties leaving their homes, even as many motorists and commercial drivers are off the roads for fear of being extorted by hoodlums who have clearly hijacked the initial peaceful protest.
Activist cautions government over jettisoning #EndSars demands
An activist and Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, condemned the hijack of the #EndSARS protest by suspected hoodlums and called on security agents to fish them out. He, however, cautioned government not to use the situation to jettison the legitimate demands of the EndSARS protesters.
He said: “We are condemning the hijack of the legitimate protests but the government should separate this hijack from the genuine demands of the protesters and respond to them because we need the movement to protect our democracy, they are the voices and institutions we need.”
Commuters stranded
Activities of the protesters have continued to cause hardship for road users as the whole of Benin City was locked down. All major roads and adjoining streets were blocked as early as 6 am with bonfires and barricades. The few motorists who dared to drive had green leaves on their vehicles as a show of solidarity with the protesters.
Protests in Auchi, Igarra
In Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, the EndSARS protesters marched from Tomato Junction across the major streets of the town chanting #EndSARS slogans. In Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, protesters armed with placards of various inscriptions, came out as early as 8am and blocked the Okene-Auchi-Benin highway.
The blockage caused a major traffic gridlock from the popular Jattu junction along the highway and extended beyond the Auchi Polytechnic main gate. Some of the protesting youths used the situation to extort amounts of money from motorists, ranging from N200 to N1,000, depending on the type of vehicle.
VANGUARD
