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.
Source
I hope today will be better than that of yesterday. Just give room for peace.
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