End Bad Governance: Protests turn violent in Kano, Gombe, Abuja
Thousands of Nigerians trooped out on Thursday across the states for a 10-day nationwide protest tagged End Bad Governance to express frustration over lingering economic hardship and hunger.
As displayed in some of the placards carried by the demonstrators, the protesters called for the reversal of many policies including hikes in price of petrol and tertiary education fees; the security of farmlands for farmers, and a reduction in the prices of staple foods, among other things.
They are also demanding full transparency and accountability in governance, and drastic reduction in salaries of government officials.
However, while the protest has been peaceful in Lagos with protesters moving from Ikeja under bridge where they have gathered to other parts of the state, the protests have turned violent in other cities such as Kano, Gombe, and Abuja.
In some cases, the violence was caused by the actions of security officials while in others, the violence occurred due to the actions of some overzealous protesters or counter-protesters.
President Bola Tinubu has said he recognises the right to peaceful protests. Still, his administration is wary of the “dangers” associated with demonstrations that are “vulnerable” to being hijacked by criminals.
In Abuja, protesters moving towards the three Arms Zones were tear-gassed in a bid to disperse them and prevent them from accessing the area.
The zone is where the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, and the Aso Villa are located.
Armoured Personnel Carriers conveying soldiers and police operatives were deployed to prevent the protesters from entering the Three-Arms Zone.
Earlier, Abuja protesters at the entrance of the MKO Abiola stadium were told by the police to go inside the stadium. They refused and instead commenced a march towards Eagle Square, close to the Three Arms Zone.
In an attempt to prevent the protesters from accessing the iconic Eagle Square around the Three Arms Zone, the police fired tear gas.
As soon as the protesters approached Eagle Square, chaos ensued. The police stationed at strategic points took up tactical positions around the protesters and fired tear gas at them.
However, instead of dispersing, the protesters are regrouping.
Many protesters have regrouped around the Ministry of Finance, blocking Ahmadu Bello Way and pushing back towards the police.
The police also used tear gas to disperse another set of protesters at the NYSC junction in Kubwa.
In Kano state, the protest turned violent after some protesters took to the streets with dangerous weapons.
At about 10:15 a.m., Kano protesters invaded a popular Rufaidah Yoghurt store in Hadejia Road, Kano, and went on a looting spree.
The protesters also looted a yet to be commissioned industrial park belonging to the Nigeria Communications Commission.
Similarly, the peaceful protests in Gombe took a dramatic turn as clashes erupted, leading to a chaotic scene that required the intervention of security officials.
Local leaders and community organisations have called for calm and dialogue to address the underlying issues that sparked the protest.
Efforts are being made to engage with protest organisers and government officials to find a resolution and prevent further unrest.
