Protest: Stray bullet hits dispatch man in Ughelli
By Akpokona Omafuaire, UGHELLI
THE peaceful protest in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State took another twist as a stray bullet from policemen stationed at the Otovwodo axis of the East West Road hit a dispatch man.
The victim, identified as Kester Eloho Ben, was said to be heading to Uwheru community to deliver a herbal drug to his company’s client when the unfortunate incident occurred.
The shooting triggered the protesters, who took to burning of tyres and pelting the policemen with sachets of water.
Speaking to newsmen at his hospital bed, Mr Kester said, “I was on my way to Uwheru community to deliver an item.
“I was waiting for either motorcycle or tricycle when I suddenly felt strange object in my left arm.
“It was a stray bullet from the police that hit me and it was an Okada man that rushed me to the hospital when the police did not show concern.
“I was not among the protesters. I was only going to deliver an item to a customer when I was shot. The medical team attended to me immediately I was bought in.”
*******************
Police tear-gas protesters, journalist in Akwa Ibom
By Egufe Yafugborhi & Chioma Onuegbu Uyo
Police tear-gassed protesters and a journalist at the Ibom Plaza, Uyo, Friday, as the #EndBadGovernance protest entered day 2 in Akwa Ibom State.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon Jobn, in response to the situation, said the Police Command, Akwa Ibom State, was too busy monitoring the protest to have time to respond to media enquiries.
Trouble started when the Uyo correspondent of the New Nigerian Newspapers engaged Jonathan Titus, leader of Akwa protesters under the platform of the “Good Governance Renaissance’ in an interview.
Then, the policemen on guard urged the protesters to vacate the Plaza, which is usually a protest rallying point.
Vanguard gathered that when the protesters questioned why they were being urged to move to Cenotaph, Unity Park, along Udo Udoma Avenue, the security agents tear-gassed them, including the journalist.
Before the tear-gassing, the protesters were seen moving round the Plaza Roundabout displaying placards of various inscriptions.
Some read: ‘Politicians pity us’, ‘Nigeria Jaga, Jag,’ ‘High cost of living don kill the living,’ ‘Give us 10 more refineries,’ ‘End bad governance in Nigeria,’ ‘End hunger in Akwa Ibom,’ ‘Reduce fuel price to N100,’ among others.
********************
One dead as protesters clash with security forces in Abuja
By Luminous Jannamike
One person is feared dead as armed security operatives clashed with protesters marching to Eagle Square from MKO Abiola National Stadium at the Central Business District junction, Abuja.
It occurred close to the United Nations building at 12:55 p.m. today. They fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
The protesters, who began their march at 12:39 p.m., regrouped at the MKO Abiola National Stadium by 1:50 p.m., engaging security forces in a shouting match.
They warned against the use of brute force to stop the protest, demanding that President Bola Tinubu address their grievances.
Earlier, protesters had converged on different parts of Abuja, including the Berger Roundabout in Wuse Zone 6, before marching to the MKO Abiola Stadium.
A helicopter was spotted flying over the stadium as protesters gathered, adding to the tense atmosphere.
Security forces, including personnel from the Army Headquarters Garrison Command, NSCDC, and DSS, are on the scene, with FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, visiting the area earlier.
*******************
Stop protests now — CAN, Sultan
*******************
Images of protesters in Abuja
By Peter Oyedele
*******************
‘We’re not miscreants, why are you threatening us with rifles,’ Lagos protesters fume
**********************
Hunger protest continues in Abuja despite Police presence
********************
Protest: Kano relaxes curfew for 5 hours Juma’at prayers
By Bashir Bello
The Kano State Government has relaxed the 24-hour curfew in the state for five hours.
The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Bar. Isa Dederi who announced this on behalf of the government in an audio message, said the curfew was relaxed from 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Dederi said the curfew was relaxed to allow Muslim worshippers to attend the Juma’at prayers and resumed fully after 5 p.m.
Recall that the state governor, Abba Yusuf had declared a 24-hour curfew on Thursday evening, after the #Endbadgovernance protest turned violent leading to loss of lives and properties in the state.
*******************
Osun photos: Protesters observe Jumat, while Christians form protective shield
By Shina Abubakar
Protesters in Osogbo, Osun State, observed the Jumat prayers at the protest grounds, while others formed a protective shield around them
The two Rakat prayers, led by one of the protest leaders, had Muslims at the Olaiya barricade joining at 1 p.m.
Security operatives were also on ground during the prayers.
*******************
Photos: Protesters storm Federal Secretariat in Port Harcourt, Rivers
By Nwankpa Chijioke
Protesters at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
*******************
Lagos: ‘How many people Police go kill?’; ‘President Tinubu should address us’
Protesters in Ojota are demanding that the President, Bola Tinubu, address them directly.
Also, they sang: “How many people Police go kill, dem go kill us tire” (How many of us will the Police kill?).
Watch the live video HERE.
*******************
Protesters sit on the road in Ojota, Lagos
*******************
Protest in Lagos: Schoolgirl begs President Tinubu for school fees
*******************
Protests: NSCDC arrests 32 for vandalism
By Omeiza Ajayi, ABUJA
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has announced the arrest of 32 persons for vandalising shops and other buildings on the first day of the nationwide protests against bad governance.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this in a statement issued Friday in Abuja.
Accordingly, he said, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, has placed all zonal commanders, heads of formations, and state commandants across the 36 States and FCT on red alert.
*******************
Protest in Nigeria Day 2: Images from Ojota, Lagos
Read Also: ‘Hunger dey o’: Police tear-gas protesters in Abuja, thugs threaten in Lagos on day 2
****************
Ibadan: Calm returns
By Adeola Badru, Ibadan
Normalcy seems to have returned to the Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, as commuters and citizens are going about their businesses Friday, Vanguard observed.
The day one of the nationwide protest witnessed a sit-at-home in Ibadan, and businesses were closed.
********************
Lagos: Popular Computer Village, Ikeja, empty
******************
Abuja: ‘Hunger dey, hunger dey’; tear gas
By Omeiza Ajayi
A detachment of fully armed men of the Nigerian Police on Friday morning forcefully dispersed a group of protesters around the Berger Bridge in Abuja.
The protesters were chanting ‘Hunger dey oo, hunger dey ooo” (There’s hunger, there’s hunger), before the officers dispersed them forcefully, including using tear gas.
Some passers-by and motorists, who were caught off-guard, could be heard accusing the Police of high-handedness.
An Abuja high court had earlier granted an injunction seeking to confine protesters to the MKO Abiola National Stadium.
Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, had on Thursday night urged protesters to obey the court order.
But leaders of the protesters say they had not been served with a copy of the said order.
********************
Lagos: Prayers before protest
Protesters hold a prayer session to kick off proceedings at Alausa, Ikeja.
*******************
Abuja is quiet
On Day 2 of the #EndBadGovernance nationwide strike, Abuja, the nation’s capital has become quiet.
Our Correspondent who visited the MKO Abiola Stadium and the Eagle Square which witnessed the main activities yesterday reported that they were empty and quiet.
There were neither protesters nor pro-government demonstrators in any of the locations. Only security forces and armoured tanks were seen in those places.
Additionally, troops of the Nigerian Army, police, and other security forces have continued to patrol the entire city, ostensibly to prevent a repeat of yesterday’s experience.
——————-
Katsina Police impose curfew, arrest 50
By Ogalah Ibrahim
The Katsina State Police Command has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Dutsinma Local Government Area and a 7pm to 7am curfew on the rest of the state. The directive, which takes immediate effect, also bans all forms of protest within the state.
ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the Command spokesperson, attributed the decision to the need to maintain public safety and prevent further escalation of violence, vandalism, and looting.
He disclosed that over 50 suspects have been arrested in connection with the destruction of public and private properties, with authorities vowing to apprehend all those involved.
ASP Sadiq debunked the circulating rumour about police brutality and fatalities, stating that “there is no record of any fatalities resulting from police actions as of the time of these reports.” He emphasised in the statement that the command officers exercised maximum restraint and professionalism in handling the violent protesters.
The Command appealed to parents and guardians to monitor their children’s and urged young people to resist pressure to participate in violent activities. They warned that curfew violators would face stiff penalties.
ASP Sadiq said warned that the command, in collaboration with sister security agencies, will be conducting regular patrols to ensure total compliance with the curfew, as anyone found violating the curfew will be dealt with decisively.
——————
Day 1 protest: Sanwo-Olu hails protesters, calls for continued calm, peace in Lagos
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commended protesters for the peaceful demonstration in the state on Thursday even as he stressed the need for continued peace and calm in d state.
Sanwo-Olu made the remark in a statement released through the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso while making his accessment on the protest.
—————–
Operatives Arrest Kaduna Protester Dressed in Police Camouflage
By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
The Police in Kaduna State has dealt with miscreants who hijacked procession of youths and other citizens on the first day of the End Bad Governance protest, and vandalised State Government, private and police assets.
Among those arrested was a man dressed in police camouflage uniform, and others wielding dangerous weapons.
The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, CP Audu Ali Dabigi called on parents and guardians to.restrain their wards from involving in violent acts, and assured that his operatives would continue to maintain law and order by not allowing criminals breathing space.
——————
Having recorded success in some parts of the country on its first day, the nationwide hunger protest enters day 2.
The first day saw 14 persons killed and a curfew declared in Yobe, Kano, Borno States.
Disclaimer
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.