Scores killed in Northeastern Nigeria
(Abuja) At hour 48 of mass protests deriding bad governance in 26 Nigerian States, Nigeria’s police have dodged bullets, burning debris and the roar of enraged citizens.
So far, 26 persons were killed in the past 48 hours in Borno State, in Nigeria’s troubled Northeast during the mass protest against prevailing poverty, insecurity and corruption, tagged #EndBadGovernance, according to various sources speaking to Truth Nigeria.
Borno State is the hotbed of Boko Haram Islamist terrorists, along with its equally bloody rival, Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Despite early warnings by intelligence agencies and the media against persons massing in one place in Borno State, Boko Haram [“Western Learning is Forbidden”] agents detonated an explosive at a local tea café in Kawuri town, Konduga County, 32 miles northeast of Maiduguri, killing 19. The blast around 8 pm, local time, on July 31, was well reported in the media.
Speaking to media men on Thursday, the Borno State Police Boss, Yusufu Lawal said, Boko Haram members mixed in with protesters and started burning and looting government properties. Actions of the terrorists claimed the lives of four persons, Lawal said, adding that 37 persons were injured.
Abuja – Protesters defied Security
Despite a heavy police-and military presence, protesters returned to the streets of Abuja on Friday, demanding an end to insecurity and economic hardship. The crowd was smaller than on Thursday, when hundreds had railed against the country’s cost-of-living crisis. Thursday’s peaceful protest turned violent after police fired tear gas, but many returned on Friday, undeterred, Truth Nigeria has learned.
The protesters, chiefly youth, expressed frustration with the country’s economic conditions and vowed to continue their “days of rage” for 10 days.
Agnes Ishaku, a trader and a nursing mother who lost her husband recently, said she was willing to sacrifice her life for the cause.
“I am ready to die,” she said, calling on the president to address hunger and insecurity, she told TruthNigeria by phone.
Curfew in Borno state
A 24-hour curfew Thursday hobbled traffic across Borno State, following a suicide attack in Kawuri Village, Konduga County, which killed 19 and injured 20 others.
The curfew was imposed by the police in consultation with the state government to restore law and order.
But the curfew was relaxed for between 12 pm to 7pm Friday.
Governor Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum urged citizens to remain calm and law-abiding.
Yobe State:
In Yobe State a 24-hour curfew slowed commerce in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru towns due to the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.
Hoodlums took advantage of the protest to vandalize and loot government and private property on Thursday.
The curfew was announced by Special Adviser to Governor Mai Buni, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdussallam, Thursday.
Security agencies have been directed to ensure enforcement and full compliance with the curfew order.
Northwest Nigeria – Protesters besieged home of former president
Katsina State:
Friday remained relatively quiet in Katsina State, Northwest Nigeria, after angry protesters besieged the compound of the immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Daura County. Heavy security around his home prevented them from breaching the compound, according to media reports.
Hoodlums then carried out attacks on government officials, prompting the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew in Dutsinma and part of the state capital, Katsina.
But a curfew from 7 pm to 7am in other areas was declared in the remaining 33 local government areas of Katsina State.
The Katsina State Government also has banned unusual gatherings and all types of protests across the state.
Sokoto State:
The Kaduna police command reported Friday that hoodlums with unknown sponsors used the #EndBadGovernance protest to cause chaos.
As TruthNigeria has reported, that the demonstration went violent yesterday in Kaduna and Zaria towns resulting in losses of lives and property.
Police spokesperson Mansir Hassan warned against criminal behavior and advised groups to liaise with the command for peaceful protests.
In Zaria, hundreds of youth continued protesting against hunger, bad governance, and insecurity, and barricading major roads, according to multiple sources.
Security operatives accompanied the protesters, who carried placards and sang songs of solidarity, but there were no confrontations.
In Kaduna city, no protests were noted after Thursday’s violence, with increased security presence and roadblocks, particularly around Government House.
Many shops, banks, and markets remained closed, with residents staying indoors in the northern part of the city, while the southern part saw normal business activities
Mike Odeh James and Luka Binniyat are conflict reporters for TruthNigeria
