Protest in Niger State turned violent, resulting in the deaths of six youths and injuries to several others.
News About Nigeria reports that the demonstration, which began peacefully, escalated when police attempted to disperse the protesters, leading to clashes and the vandalisation of a police vehicle.
The situation worsened when live ammunition was fired, causing fatalities.
In a related incident, youths attempted to burn down the Tafa local government secretariat, damaging its gates and fence, and setting a vehicle ablaze.
However, security forces intervened, preventing looting and arresting 11 individuals.
The Niger State capital, Minna, was also affected, with residents staying indoors, shops and markets closed, and a heavy security presence.
The deaths and injuries have not been confirmed by the police, as a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, did not address the shooting of the protesters or the deaths of any protesters.
Abiodun confirmed the vandalization of the Tafa local government secretariat in Sabon-Wuse, saying that two cars were burned, two were vandalised, and the secretariat was looted, saying that 11 people were arrested regarding the vandalization of the secretariat.
“Following the nationwide protest slated to commence today 1st August 2024, unfortunately, this morning at about 0930hrs, some miscreants of Tafa area of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State and that of Hayin-Diko Gurara LGA of Niger State mobilized and stormed Tafa LGA Secretariat of Niger State located along Abuja-Kaduna expressway, Sabon-Wuse Niger State.
“The hoodlums vandalized the Secretariat, partly set ablaze, two cars were also burnt and two others vandalized. They further looted valuables there-in, while the Police and other security agencies responded to the scene, and arrested eleven violent miscreants with different dangerous weapons, including firearms as others were dispersed from the scene and some of the looted items were recovered.
“The Police and other security agencies responded to the blockage of the Kaduna-Abuja expressway and old toll-gate, and the hoodlums were dispersed. Presently, the expressway has been reopened for motorists and there is a free flow of traffic along the highway. However, investigation into the violent act has commenced to arrest other fleeing miscreants”, the statement read.
In Minna, the Niger state capital, residents deserted shops, markets, and roads in fear of the adverse effect of the protest. As at the time of filing this report, shops, plazas, and markets were not yet opened and there were few cars and people on the roads.
The popular Kpakungun Road and Mobile Road where there has been traffic have little or no cars on them. The majority of the filling stations were not selling fuel. All the banks within the Minna metropolis like Access Bank, Heritage Bank, Zenith, FCMB, UBA, and others were closed. There was a heavy security presence at the Minna branch of the Central Bank.
The security presence was heavy at every point. At Kpakungun roundabout which is known to be one of the hotspots in Minna had the presence of police, NSDC, and the Immigration service.
At Shiroro Road, some eateries were opened for service but the majority of the plazas on the road were shut down. The state and federal Secretariat were opened but only a few civil servants were seen inside their offices.
The Kure ultramodern market and the Kasuwan Gwari market were shut down as no trader was seen in the market. The Kasuwan Gwari which is a weekly Thursday market had no traders or goods on the ground.
