After the first day of the #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria, no fewer than 20 people have been confirmed dead across major cities in the country.
In Abuja, the nation’s capital, one person died as protesters clashed with police from the Maraba Nyanya area of Nasarawa state, pushing into the elite Asokoro settlement.
In Kano, one individual was killed during a confrontation with police after protesters broke into the under-construction Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Industrial Park and looted properties. The police have arrested and paraded some of the looters.
Jigawa saw two deaths after the protest turned violent.
Niger state recorded the highest number of casualties, with six people reportedly gunned down by police in the capital, Minna. Protesters in Niger state began their demonstrations a day before the official start.
Borno and Kaduna states each recorded three deaths. In Kaduna, protesters attempted to break into the government house but were met by police, resulting in fatalities. In Borno, the protest turned violent after a suicide bomber blew herself up a day before, leading to clashes with security officials and the death of three protesters.
In Yobe state, three fuel station employees were shot dead while at work, and protesters destroyed public properties worth millions of naira.
Businesses in major cities ground to a halt, with banks, shopping plazas, and major markets closing due to fear of the unknown. The protest in the federal capital territory saw casualties along the Kubwa Expressway, where protesters blocked the road, defying a court order to remain at the MKO Abiola Stadium.
An eyewitness in Abuja, Ekaete, recounted the violent turn of events, explaining that the confrontation with police began after protesters harassed motorists on the expressway.
Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation of the Take It Back Movement, declared that protests would continue until President Bola Tinubu addresses the demands of the protesters, highlighting the urgent needs of the suffering Nigerian populace.
The demonstrations have entered their second day in Abuja, with police tear-gassing protesters upon their arrival at the MKO Abiola Stadium meeting point.
Stay tuned to Naijahotvibez blog for more details on the progress of the protests.
