Protesters shut down Nigeria

NIGERIA was, on Monday, shut down completely by anti- subsidy removal protests which took place across the federation. Protesters, who stormed major streets of the states, came out as early as 6.00 a.m. to kick against the subsidy removal they claimed had brought untold hardship to Nigerians.
Reports gathered from every part of the country, however, revealed that the protest was characterised by peace and orderliness in some parts while violence and killings were recorded in some other parts.
The Lokoja-Jamata Bridge and Abuja roads were shut down by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), while several people were reportedly killed and wounded in Lagos, Kano, Edo and other states of the federation.
Also, in Kano, 30 vehicles were set ablaze by the protesters.
The seat of power in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, the Lugard House, was deserted by government house staff, as security agents took over the main entrance to the Governor’s Office.
The deputy governor’s office was also deserted by workers as none of the security agents was posted to the area.
The demonstration was led by the state chairman of the NLC, Comrade James Odawudu, and his counterpart from the TUC, Comrade Abdul Ganiyu.
The peaceful demonstration took off from Obasanjo Square in Lokoja, down to the Lokoja-Abuja federal road.
All roads leading to the state capital and the one leading to the South and the North were blocked, as the state capital was brought to a halt by the strike.
Shops, banks, ministries, markets, schools and hospitals were all closed down as people had to trek to their various destinations.
The protesters who marched to the Government House urged the governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, to call President Goodluck Jonathan to order.
In Niger State, the Etsu Nupe Bida's palace was pelted by protesters as the labour-organised protest against withdrawal of fuel subsidy turned violent in the ancient town.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the protest started on a peaceful note with members of the organised labour leading it, but was later hijacked by hoodlums.
The hoodlums were said to have vandalised all the billboards in front of the Etsu Nupe’s palace and pelted the gate of the edifice, damaging it a little.
NAN also learnt that security agents went into action and contained the situation, dispersed the hoodlums from the area and  effectively brought the protest march in the town to an end.
When contacted, the Etsu Nupe’s secretary, Alhaji Abdulmalik Usman, confirmed the story, and said that “it is true that the protesters vandalised some structures in front of the palace.
“The security agents have effectively handled the situation and everything has returned to normal in the town.
“People are now going about their usual business.”
In Kano, the protesters set no fewer than 20 vehicles parked on the premises of the Secretary to the Kano State Government (SSG) on fire, while about 10 hoodlums were arrested.
This is just as the security operatives arrested one of the angry youth in army uniform, while another youth found in possession of an army identity card claimed to be an ex-army officer.
In the course of interrogation, the arrested youth in uniform said he was coming from Maiduguri. The youth, who claimed to be an ex-army officer, was caught in possession of a knife and other dangerous weapons.
However, the Kano protesters, in their desperate attempt to gain entry into the Government House, pulled down the wall.
Several cannisters of tear-gas were fired by the security operatives to disperse the irate youth, with their ages ranging from 15 years to 25 years.
Irked by this development and not happy that they were prevented from gaining entry into the Government House, the irate youth resorted to arson.
Spokesman for the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kano, Dr Kabiru AbdulSalam told reporters at Abdullahi Wase Hospital that 31 people were wounded in the shootings and stampede that followed the protest.
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