No fewer than 17 people were reportedly killed in various states across Nigeria during the #EndBadGovernance protest on Thursday. The protest, which started peacefully, escalated into violent confrontations with security forces, leading to casualties in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa.
In Abuja, one person was shot dead along the Kubwa expressway. An eyewitness, Ekaete, recounted, “I was waiting for a bus on the expressway when the protesters blocked the highway and harassed motorists. The police fired live shots, killing a young man. Everybody took off on seeing the man fall.”
The protest in Abuja intensified near the Eagles Square, close to the Presidential Villa, where security operatives used teargas and pepper spray to disperse the demonstrators. Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, attempted to address the crowd but was met with chants of “hunger dey.” He urged for calm, stating, “I’m not here to fight you; it is your right to protest.”
In Niger State, six people were killed by the police during an attempted arson at the Tafa Local Government Area secretariat. The police spokesperson, SP Waisu Abiodun, noted, “Eleven suspects were arrested with dangerous weapons, including firearms.”
Kaduna witnessed the deaths of two protesters at the State Government House. Olawale Okunniyi of the Civil Society Situation Room condemned the violence, saying, “Security operatives struggling to dislodge protesters led to the fatalities.”
In Kano, the death of Ismael Musa led to a 24-hour curfew imposed by Governor Abba Yusuf. The governor blamed the violence on “enemies of progress.” Suspected hoodlums looted shops and torched several buildings, including the Nigeria Communications Commission office and a filling station.
Borno State saw the infiltration of Boko Haram militants into the protest, resulting in four deaths and 34 injuries. Commissioner of Police Farouq Lawal confirmed the incident.
The protest’s economic impact was significant, with businesses, banks, and offices nationwide shutting down. In Lagos, protesters marched from Ikeja Under Bridge to Gani Fawehinmi Park, despite court orders restricting them to certain locations. Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, declared, “The protest will continue until the government reverses all anti-people policies.”
While protests were widespread, the Southeast largely observed a sit-at-home protest. Major cities like Enugu, Owerri, and Abakaliki saw deserted streets and closed businesses.
In the South-South, Delta State reporters were assaulted by anti-protest protesters. The Sahara Reporters journalist’s phone was not recovered despite military intervention.
As tensions rise, the government has called for dialogue. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike appealed to the youths, “It is better to dialogue and iron out issues with the government.”
The nationwide protest continues to highlight the citizens’ demands for economic relief, security, and electoral reforms.
