•Crowds grow smaller, businesses return to normal in South

The enthusiasm that was witnessed among protesters last Thursday across the country on the first day of the nationwide protest against hardship started waning yesterday as the protest entered its second day. The protest was to last for 10 days according to the organizers.

In the few cities in the northern part of the country where protesters managed to come out yesterday after the first day of the protest that turned violent leading to loss of lives, the crowds had grown smaller while the security operatives were able to put the defiant protesters in check. The southern part of the country especially in the South East was generally peaceful as some states did not even participate in the protest while businesses had returned to normal in others that witnessed some protests on the first day.

ABUJA

Protesters who returned to the streets of Abuja on Friday were fewer than that on Thursday when hundreds of protesters expressed their grievances about the cost of living in the country. Thursday’s peaceful demonstration turned violent after the police fired tear gas at the protesters.
Yesterday, a heavy police and military presence was visible around the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja with officers in cars and trucks guarding the expressway that leads to the airport and the city centre.

A different set of protesters also gathered in Gwagwalada, where they temporarily blocked the Lokoja-Abuja expressway. A combined team of security operatives later dispersed the scores of protesters by firing tear gas, eventually leading to the reopening of the major road for vehicular movement.

According to Channels TV report, some motorists had their cars smashed along Dagiri, Wazobia Park and SDP Junction, The protesters were calling for the reversal of the fuel price hike, the restoration of affordable electricity tariffs, and the reduction of import duties to their previous rates.

Some protesters at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja have called on President Bola Tinubu to address them. Some of them told PREMIUM TIMES they could leave the streets if the president addressed them. However, some of them said only a decisive decision, such as reducing fuel prices and addressing insecurity, could remove them from the streets.

“Everything is going to be normal if the government brings back the (petrol) subsidy,” a female protester clad in hijab said. Suwaiba Abdullahi, a nursing mother carrying her two-month-old baby, said she joined the rally to protest against insecurity and hardship. Ms Abdullahi, who has been part of the protests since Thursday, explained that bandits, in March, killed her husband on his farm in Katsina State.

LAGOS

In Ojota, Lagos, police officers formed a lengthy line of protection for the protesters as they marched along the road on their way to Alausa, Ikeja.

The protesters had a brief moment of entertainment and were in full party groove as the DJ entertained them with music. An 8-year-old girl was among the protesters armed with a placard that read “My Dad can’t afford my school fees. My President, help please”. The protesters later dispersed peacefully after leaving Alausa with a promise to continue today.

PLATEAU

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

In Jos, Plateau state, the second day of the #EndBadGovernance protest was peaceful. There was a further decrease in vehicular and pedestrian movement compared to Day One of the protest. Economic activities in the city centre were reduced to very few shops opening for sale. The banks were under locks as their Automated Teller Machines failed to dispense cash to residents. However, the protesters have blocked the entire old Airport Junction as security agents kept guard at the junction and other strategic locations in the metropolis.

Some social activists urged the protesters to remain peaceful while calling on the government at all levels to deliver good governance to citizens. They insisted on the federal government putting in place mechanisms that would reduce the suffering of the masses.

BENUE

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

For two consecutive days residents of Makurdi the Benue state capital and other major towns in the state shunned the nationwide protest against hunger. Though military and security personnel were seen positioned at strategic points in the state capital, the town remained peaceful. Civil servants have been reporting to work while business places and markets remained open for daily businesses.

Though on the first day of the protest several filling stations in the town were locked while motor parks were devoid of the usual morning bustle, on Friday almost all the filling stations that had products were opened for business.

Findings also indicated that most commercial banks were opened for business amid tight security. Normalcy has generally returned to the town unlike the first day when many commercial vehicles stayed away probably out of fear. Heavy security presence was still noticed at the State Emergency Management Agency headquarters and Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, office in Makurdi.

OYO

By Adeola Badru, Ibadan

Normalcy has returned to Ibadan metropolis in Oyo state as commuters and citizens were back on the streets early Friday morning. The first day of the nationwide protest witnessed sit-at-home in Ibadan as businesses were closed out of fear of uncertainty of what could happen. However, on the second day of the protest the people have started going about their daily businesses. Locations visited included, popular Idi-Ape junction, Bashorun roads, Ashi Road, General Gas area , Kolapo Ishola communities, Elewi- odo and Amuda Ojere, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ibadan.

BORNO

By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

Scores of protesters, mostly youth who yesterday defied the 24-hour curfew imposed in Maiduguri following Thursday’s violent protest that claimed four lives, were arrested by the police. Sources said, despite the curfew, hundreds of protesters from the densely populated area of Gwange Ward of the metropolis trooped out on the Lagos streets and started destroying public property on the dual carriage way. It took the quick intervention of the soldiers who were deployed to bring sanity to the community.

The protest that started peacefully on Thursday turned violent when some hoodlums took advantage of the protest to loot and destroy public and private property as well as setting ablaze a police vehicle stationed in front of the Borno Police Command Headquarters in Maiduguri.

Meanwhile, there was confusion on Friday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital as the Police Authority said, it had relaxed the 24-hour curfew, even as town criers insisted on major streets that residents must not go out as the curfew still remained effective. A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP, Kenneth Daso said: “Given the prevailing security situation, the Borno State Government and heads of the state Security agencies after due consultation have relaxed the curfew imposed in the state from 12pm to 3pm. This is to enable Muslim faithfuls to observe Juma’at prayers.

However, members of the public are advised to observe the Juma’at prayers at Mosques closer to their communities. Furthermore, the curfew will continue to be enforced from 3pm Friday to 6am on Saturday, thereafter people are expected to go about their lawful business and cautioned to shun all forms of violence”.

YOBE

The police command in Yobe says it has arrested 18 suspects in connection with violent protests and vandalism in Nguru, Potiskum and Gashua towns on Thursday. Dungus Abdulkarim, the state’s police spokesperson, told NAN on Friday that the suspects hid behind “peaceful protests” to torch public buildings, steal foodstuffs and other equipment. He said the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

Abdulkarim said Garba Ahmed, the state’s police commissioner, had warned hoodlums against the destruction of government assets in any part of the state. The spokesperson reiterated the command’s readiness to enforce the dusk-to-dawn curfew earlier imposed on the affected towns. Abdulkarim urged communities to collaborate with the police to prevent miscreants from causing further mayhem.

KADUNA

The Kaduna police command says “24 miscreants” have been arrested for attempting to hijack the protest against hunger in the state. In a statement on Friday, Mansir Hassan, police spokesperson in Kaduna, said the hoodlums injured two police officers while attempting to invade the government house.

Hassan said the hoodlums also destroyed the windshields of the police armoured personnel carrier stationed at the government house. “Following the infamous sudden outbreak of violence that characterised the nationwide protest in Kaduna, the police has arrested no fewer than twenty four miscreants involved in violent conducts occasioned by mischief in the state,” the statement reads.
“As earlier envisaged, the somewhat peaceful protest has been hijacked by hoodlums who took undue advantage of the so-called faceless sponsors and unleashed their planned mayhem on the state.
“Consequently, the unruly miscreants attempted to gain access into the Kaduna state Government House before they were resisted by the security personnel at the said location and injured two policemen, broke the glasses of a Police armoured personnel carrier stationed at entrance of the Government House.

They subsequently attacked the office and staff of the Kaduna state traffic law enforcement agency (KASTLEA) and torched the former along with adjoining other state government offices.” The police spokesperson said the suspects were arrested with scissors and jackknives, adding that live 7.62 X 39mm ammunition was recovered from one Hassan Ibrahim of Rigasa area. He said another suspect was arrested for dressing in police camouflage in order to deceive people.

ANAMBRA

By Vincent Ujumadu, Awka

Anambra residents, who on Thursday shunned the ongoing hardship and bad governance protests rocking various parts of the country, have fully returned to their businesses. Some of them who spoke on Friday commended the people for not participating in the protest, saying theirs would have recorded more casualties than other states. A tricycle operator in Awka, Innocent Nwafor, was so excited that he was charging his passengers N100 for a trip that was normally charged N200 to express his delight with the Igbo people. “I am very happy for the way Igbo people took the protest, by remaining in their homes on the first day.

The story would have been different in the South East if the people had participated in it. Having used the first day to study the situation, everyone is happy to return to work today (Friday). I wish that Igbo people will be taking similar decisions on issues of this nature,” he said. A trader, Mr Okechukwu Obibuaku was also happy that Igbo people residing outside the South East did not join the protest, but rather guarded their businesses while the protest was going on.

He said: “I called my brothers and other relatives in Lagos and Abuja and warned them against taking part in the protest and I am happy they obeyed. In fact we agreed that they should not open their shops until the 10 days mapped out for the protest are over. Meanwhile, all markets, banks, filling stations and offices opened for business on Friday and people were going about without molestation. Security operatives who were seen at strategic positions on Thursday have returned to their normal duty posts.

KWARA

By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

There was no protest across the nooks and crannies of Kwara state on Friday as residents have fully returned to their usual businesses. Unlike Thursday when shop owners and offices partially opened for fear of protesters, everyone opened for businesses as early as 9am yesterday. Meanwhile Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq has commended the people of the state, including young people, for opting for peace and harmony.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Chief press Secretary,Rafiu Ajakaiye, the governor said, “I am again proud of every Kwaran today. The peace in the state is a true reflection of who we are, and we should continue along that path. This is our state, the only one we have; we should not do anything that may bring violence, hurt one another, or lead to loss of lives and property. We do not need it. I wholeheartedly acknowledge the wisdom of our people, old and young, who have chosen the viable option of positive engagement, safety, peace, and harmony.”

SOKOTO

By Musa Ubandawaki

In Sokoto, conveners of protest and their supporters failed to show up at designated areas for the continued protest which was slated to last for ten consecutive days. Checks around the Sokoto metropolis showed that the protest did not continue as expected in Sokoto State except for a few of the protesters who gathered close to Sultan palace but they were immediately dispersed with teargas by the police who were on standby at the busy palace road.

It was gathered that the conveners were disappointed that some miscreants had attempted to hijack the once peaceful protest to unleash terror on traders around Sokoto metropolis.

The Sokoto central market which is the center of commercial activities was also open at about 11:am Commercial activities have since returned to normal except in some few places where some residents were still apprehensive that their business premises could be attacked by hoodlums under the guise of the protest. Banks were also attending to their clients.

KATSINA

Early hours on day two of the protest, the Katsina State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew on Dutsinma Local Government Area and a 7pm to 7am curfew on the remaining 33 LGAs of the state. The directive, according to the Katsina Police Command, was with immediate effect. The directive also banned all forms of protest within the state.

The Command spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Sadiq disclosed that over 50 suspects were arrested in connection with the destruction of public and private property with authorities vowing to apprehend others involved.

ABIA

By Steve Oko

Thursday’s nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance, recorded non compliance in Abia State and continued yesterday on the second day of the protest as residents went about their normal businesses. There was free flow of both human and vehicular traffic as residents carried on with their daily activities uninterrupted. However, the banks did not open for business apparently for fear of the unknown.

Besides financial institutions, most Government offices were also under lock and key as residents chose to remain indoors. Some business owners also did not open for business probably as a precautionary measure, but some did. Most residents felt it made no sense joining the nationwide protest as people and business interests are usually the targets of such protest. Some residents were sighted at joints sitting over drinks and discussing national issues. The streets were as busy as ever although at the earlier hours of the day the roads were a bit scanty. It however, picked up especially from afternoon hours.

No protester was sighted anywhere in the capital city, and there was no report of any procession in the state. Security was beefed up around Government House as security operatives mounted a sentry in front of the main entrance gate to the Government House.

There was also a security beef up around the premises of the Correctional Centre Umuahia. In Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, the story was the same except that many markets were on total lockdown. Some commercial areas were also deserted as traders and business operators chose to stay back home.

OGUN

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

As the #EndBadGovernance protest entered the second day on Friday, commercial activities had resumed fully in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. Transportation activities across the state capital had also resumed as transporters were having a field day conveying commuters to various destinations.

Our Correspondent who was at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, noted that security operatives, including Nigeria Army, Police and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were on ground. It was also observed that residents were busy moving around unhindered while commercial banks also opened for business.

ONDO

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

Normalcy has returned to Ondo state capital after the protest which started on Thursday across the country. No protest took place across the state. Banks, government offices, markets and other departmental stores did not open on Thursday, for fear of miscreants hijacking the protest to attack and loot. On Friday however, normal activities resumed as markets, shop owners and many of the banks across the state opened their doors to their customers. Civil servants have also resumed fully at the state Secretariat complex.

But some banks remained shut for fear of possible attack. Security personnel continued to guard strategic locations in the metropolis, especially the CBN office, Federal Secretariat and other government structures in the state capital. Police patrol vehicles went round major streets in the state capital while men of the Nigeria Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC as well as Amotekun were strategically placed. Meanwhile, the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has appreciated the people of the state for their peaceful dispositio. He thanked them for heeding to his pleas for understanding, calm and restraint.

OYO

Laolu Elijah, Ibadan

In Oyo State especially in Ibadan, different groups of peaceful protesters emerged from various locations within the city. But as numerous as they were, leaders of the protests and the security agents handled them well reminding the protesters never to loot or vandalize any property.
Protesters marched through Mokola, Dugbe, Challenge, Molete, Beere, Total Garden, Sango, Agbowo and other parts of the city. Some of the protesters supplied water for their colleagues to drink.
Those who participated in the protest included former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Professor Ademola Aremu, and leaders of Joint Action Front (JAF), Socialist Labour, All workers’ convergence, Centre for Popular Education (CEPED), Campaign Against Tuition Fees, CSATF, Pan African Movement, PAM and others. They asked the Federal Government to ensure “immediate reversal of all of the anti-poor policies, specifically the pump price of petrol to N197, immediate repositioning of all of the public refineries and end to importation of petroleum products and reversal of the decision to hike the electricity Tariff”.

BAYELSA

Contrary to the fear in some quarters that the #EndBadGovernance protest would overwhelm the security agencies and paralyze socio-economic activities in Bayelsa State, the situation in the predominantly riverine state had been relatively calm, except for the reported attack on the protesters by some hoodlums around the Biogbolo axis of the Melford Okilo Road in Yenagoa, the state capital.

However, checks revealed that a combination of factors helped in taking out the steam from the anticipated mother of all protests, known for its history as the epicenter of youth restiveness in the blighted Niger Delta. These include the continued engagement of genuine groups such as the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), student leaders, and other stakeholders on the need to shun the planned protest, and the last-minute shuttle to the state by the Minister, Senator Lokpobiri, who also held an interactive meeting at Ijaw House with youths of Ijaw ethnic nationality and others on the eve of the planned protest. The leadership of the APC also threatened to sanction any of its members who participated in the planned protest..

DELTA

As of noon on Friday, there was normalcy in Asaba with no group of protesters yet to be seen in the state capital. Commercial activities were in full swing in the metropolis, and security operatives positioned themselves in strategic areas.

The governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori expressed delight with the peaceful manner Deltans conducted themselves across the State. Oborevwori, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, said: “My dear youths of Delta, I thank you for the way and manner you organized yourselves today.

We are aware that Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. We shall continue to protect the lives and property of our people. At the time of the report on Friday, Day Two of the protest, there was no sign of protesters in the twin cities of Warri and Uvwie. Security operatives were still on standby to nip any act of lawlessness in the bud.