No fewer than 14 individuals, including a police officer, tragically lost their lives on the first day of the protests against economic hardship in the country. The casualties included six in Suleja, Niger State; four in Maiduguri, Borno State; three in Kaduna State; and one in Kebbi State. In addition to the loss of life during the protests, curfews were declared in Borno and Kaduna states as the initially peaceful demonstrations later turned violent.
Clashes between the police and protesters were also reported in Abuja, Delta, and Bayelsa states, although the protests remained largely peaceful in Lagos, Oyo, and Osun states. In Suleja, where dozens of protesters sustained injuries, the victims were said to have been killed while security forces were attempting to clear a group of protesters who had erected barricades on a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway, trapping hundreds of passengers and motorists for several hours.
The police officers present were unable to control the outnumbering youths, and a reinforcement team was reportedly dispatched to the scene, where pandemonium ensued.
Among those killed was Yahaya Nda Isah, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja, who was reportedly struck by a stray bullet.
On the day of the incident, a nephew of the deceased reported “He was my uncle, and he was not even protesting. He was passing in front of the Police ‘A’ division where some people were protesting when a stray bullet hit him on his chest, and he died. As I speak with you, I am in his house, alongside other mourners. It is unfortunate,” the nephew said.
Another victim, identified as Mallam Abu, also perished on the spot, having been hit by stray bullets. One of the residents, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that three other individuals were shot at the same scene, while two others were shot at the Suleja Junction on the Abuja-Kaduna road, although the source could not confirm if the other victims had succumbed to their injuries.
Another resident, whose shop was in proximity to the Suleja Police “A” Division, stated that he had closed his shop and fled for his safety upon hearing the commotion and the sound of gunshots, which persisted for approximately 20 minutes in the area around the Emir Roundabout. In a regrettable incident, protesters set fire to the Tafa local government secretariat located in Sabon Wuse, along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, at approximately 9:30 am. Besides the secretariat, two cars were also destroyed by the blaze, while an additional two vehicles were vandalized and valuables were looted from the premises.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, a group of miscreants from the Tafa area of Kagarko Local Government Area in Kaduna State and Hayin-Diko Gurara Local Government Area in Niger State mobilized and stormed the secretariat. The hoodlums vandalized the secretariat, partially set it ablaze, and burnt down two cars. Additionally, two other vehicles were vandalized, and valuables were looted. This incident caused a significant traffic jam along the busy expressway.
However, a combination of security agencies promptly responded and dispersed the miscreants. As a result of the police intervention, eleven individuals have been arrested, and the highway is now clear for traffic. The Police Public Relations Officer has confirmed the occurrence of this incident and provided details on the actions taken to restore order and apprehend the perpetrators.
Yesterday, at the time of reporting, the victims were still lying in a pool of their blood, even as video footage of the killings had gone viral on social media. Authorities have already imposed a 24-hour curfew in the state, citing the escalation of violence in the nationwide protests, as well as a bomb blast that occurred in Kawuri village of Konduga Local Government Area of the state.
This explosion left 20 people dead and 16 injured less than 24 hours before the commencement of the protests. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the victims/workers of the filling station died from stray bullets, while another version reveals that there were no signs of bullets or gunshots on the victims.
