- Violence erupts in Nyanya, Abuja as hoodlums infiltrate protest group
A 24-hour curfew has been declared in Borno State amid the ongoing hunger protests across the nation.
This is as hundreds of travelers are currently stranded at the Suleja axis of the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Niger State as protesters blocked the free flow of movement on a section of the road.
Spokesperson of Borno State Command, Nahum Kenneth Daso, who announced the curfew in a statement on Thursday, said it was on the basis of security concern following the bomb explosion of Wednesday.
A bomb exploded at a local tea joint in the State on the eve of the nationwide protest with sources confirming that 19 persons were killed. But the Police put the number at 16.
Daso said in his statement that the curfew was declared in the interest of peace.
“In view of the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security and law enforcement agencies toward preservation of law and order in the state. You are all aware of the incident that took place at kawori which was the detonation of improvise explosive devices ordinance device which lead to the death of (16) persons while several others were critically injured and on admission across various Government hospitals in the state.”
“In line with our constitutional mandate towards the restoration of law and order, His Excellency, the executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum in consultation with heads of security in the state, finds its expedient to declare 24hrs curfew in the state with immediate effect.”
“I therefore, wish to call upon the good people of Borno State to remain calm and law abiding. Further developments will be communicated to you accordingly please.”
An Abuja resident, Abubakar Ibrahim, who spoke to Daily Trust on he blockage of the Suleija axis of the Abuja-Kaduna highway, said that he was billed to travel to his home State of Kaduna and had boarded a vehicle at around 11 40 am on Thursday but has spent over two hours around Gauraka junction.
“I left Zuba town where I boarded the vehicle before 10 am, but we have been made to stop here around Gauraka junction where we have spent about two hours. Protesting youths have blocked the highway.”
He said the gridlock had extended to some kilometeres, covering between Aluminum Village and nearby Zuma military barracks.
“There are few policemen standing from afar, but they can do nothing about the road block as the number of the youths is beyond their control.”
Meanwhile, in the Nyanya axis of Karu Local Government Council of the Federal Capital Territory and its neighbouring Mararaba town, in Nasarawa State, what started as peaceful protests in the morning by the #EndBadGovernanceProtest escalated and turned violent when it was infiltrated by hoodlums, forcing residents and commuters to scamper for safety.
Eyewitnesses reported that hoodlums have infiltrated the protest, attacking and vandalising vehicles along the busy Keffi/Abuja road.
The once-calm atmosphere has been replaced with chaos as commuters clashed with these disruptive elements, resulting in widespread panic.
The situation on the ground remains tense, with security forces scrambling to restore order and prevent further violence.
Security agents and residents are urging citizens to avoid the area and remain vigilant as they work to control the situation.
Business activities were grounded as protesters took over the streets and major roads.
Despite the heavy presence of security personnel, compromising the Nigerian military, the police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and local vigilantes deployed to the areas, the defiant protesters overwhelmed them.
Thousands of protesters brandishing dangerous weapons, stones and placards with different inscriptions dared the security personnel stationed in most strategic places.
The protesters took over the popular major Abuja/Keffi Expressway which is even heavily manned by the security personnel, thus preventing vehicular and human movements.
All the banks located in the axis were seen locked with heavy padlocks. Market men and women including shop owners who had earlier come to carry out their day’s businesses, hurriedly locked their shops to avoid them being looted by the protesters.
Although soldiers were seen patrolling the areas and shooting in the air to scare the protesters even as the latter appeared not to be deterred by the action.
As at the time of filing this report, two persons were seen fatally shot at Mararaba by a stray bullet. It was however, not known if the bullet was fired by the soldiers or the police personnel mannig the axis.
Written with agency reports