,..Four die in Kaduna, Niger
…Shootings in Abuja, looting in Kano
Nigerian youths’ protests on Thursday forced the majority of citizens to sit at their homes in various parts of the nation.
Telcos, banks, filling stations, shops, malls, schools and major markets were under lock and key, with several of them staying away for fear of a repeat of the #EndSARS 2020 incident, where scores of people were killed and shops looted.
Commercial activities were paralysed at all parts of Lagos, with international airlines among a few businesses operating flights in and out of Nigeria without interruption.
In Ejigbo and Isolo areas of Lagos, businesses were shut down until 4pm as non-protesting traders stayed away.
Read also: Police disperse protesters at Lekki tollgate
Businesses in Ojota and Ikeja of Lagos were shut down. Protesters marched from Ikeja Under Bridge to Freedom Park in Ojota to demonstrate the high cost of living and hunger prevailing in Africa’s most populous nation.
Youths under the aegis of Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens, Osun State, stormed Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, to express their discontent with the current state of governance in Nigeria.
“We are suffering and the pain is unbearable. Tinubu should look into all the policies that are affecting the poor and review them. One of the policies is the fuel subsidy that has been removed. You have removed the subsidy and the impact is not felt by the people. You are telling us to wait. Are we going to wait until everybody dies,” said Ajala Adetunji, coordinator of the coalition.
Kwara businesses were locked but several residents did not protest for fear of what might happen.
Protesters, police clash in Abuja
Protesters and security agents clashed at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, on Thursday afternoon, after they were denied entrance into the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
The protesters, mostly youths, brandished branches of flowers and attempted to gain entrance into the secretariat at about 2pm.
An Emirate Guard security official attached to the stadium informed BusinessDay at the stadium that the protesters left the entrance of the stadium after being denied access into the stadium, adding that they were headed for the Federal Secretariat.
They, however, met strong resistance from security officials, consisting mainly of police and men of the Civil Defense Corps, who had ring-fenced the secretariat.
To disperse the angry protesters, the police had to shoot teargas canisters at them, causing strong confusion around the secretariat and adjourning roads, forcing commuters to run for safety. There were sporadic gun shootings in the air.
Read also: Protesters block Keffi-Abuja Highway as businesses paralysed
BusinessDay checks also indicated that business premises on the outskirts of Abuja, including Nyanya, Kubwa, Mararaba and Kuje were shut down as protesters commenced demonstrations.
Most business owners in the areas decided to remain at home for fear of potential violence, looting, and concerns for their personal safety.
Richard Ugo, a thrift ware dealer at Wuse Market, stated that security concerns prompted him to stay home, noting that there may be no customers anyway.
“My life comes first before any business. I won’t open the market until I receive an alert that everything is calm,” he said.
Emmanuel Nonye, an entrepreneur at Banex Plaza, mentioned that he attempted to open his business but found the entire plaza and surrounding streets deserted, which forced him to lock up and return home.
At various states across the nation, youths carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘#EndBadGovernance,’ ‘#We want fuel subsidy,’ and ‘Tinubu, make our lives better.’
Violence in Abuja, Kaduna, Niger
The nationwide hardship protest, however, took a violent turn in the Nyanya axis of Abuja.
What seemed peaceful in the early hours of Thursday escalated into violence, forcing residents and commuters to flee for safety.
It was gathered that hoodlums infiltrated the protest, attacking and vandalising vehicles along the busy Keffi/Abuja road.
BusinessDay also observed that pro -Tinubu protesters also held their own protests at different locations in Abuja, including the Tinubu/ Shettima campaign office at the Central Business District in Abuja.
Read also: Shooting in Abuja as protesters storm Eagle Square
In Kaduna, three persons died. One person died in Niger State.
Violent protests also erupted in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, as a group of irate youths hijacked the protest and unleashed violence.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening, as hoodlums were seen burning tyres on the highway at the city center to prevent vehicular movement.
It took the combined team of military, police and other security personnel to bring the situation under control.
BusinessDay gathered that the irate youths were advancing the ‘A’ Division of the Nigeria Police Force, throwing stones at the personnel.
Ramhan Nansel, police public relations officer in Nasarawa State, confirmed the incident and noted that normalcy had been returned to Lafia, the state capital, as at 7pm.
Looting in Kano
In Kano, hoodlums hijacked the protest, looting warehouses, shops and offices in the ancient city.
They looted the Digital Innovation Park set to be launched next week by Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, setting it ablaze.
The hoodlums were also seen hauling away items from people’s offices, including furniture, air conditioners, and metal signboards.
Public infrastructure such as traffic lights, billboards, government offices were attacked as hoodlums set tyres ablaze, attracting the police and other security agencies.
Security agencies were overwhelmed by the hoodlums who carted away the items without much resistance.
Read also: Streets deserted as few protesters march in Adamawa
“Sad to learn that our Digital Innovation Park in Kano slated for launch next week to support our technical talent accelerator (3MTT) has been set ablaze and looted by protesters. Alongside #3MTT, this building is set to host our buildathon holiday maker programme for secondary school kids starting next week. A slight setback for our journey to deepening our workforce for technology while creating job opportunities for the youth. Millions of Naira down the drain,” Tijani posted on his X handle on Thursday.
