The nationwide hunger and hardship protest, #EndBadGovernance was marred with violence in parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Kano.
Sources disclosed that the protesters had gathered around the Eagles Square as against the court order that restricted their protest to Moshood Abiola Stadium on Thursday in Abuja.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji had on Wednesday issued the order barring protesters while ruling in an ex-parte application brought before him by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike.
Despite the order, angry protesters marched to the Eagles Square, the initial venue planned for the protest.
The move compelled police to fire teargas canisters at the protesters to prevent them from gaining entry into the venue.
Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh claimed that the command was overwhelmed by the violence.
She said that the protesters were coming out from different locations against the earlier order restricting the protest to Moshood Abiola Stadium.
"The protesters are coming out from different locations and are becoming violent. We are trying to curtail them but currently, they are being very violent," she added.
It was also revealed that some individuals hijacked the protest, thereby clashing with security agents at Nyanya bridge.
However, the once peaceful protest escalated when a group of persons started vandalising public properties, including street lights and pelting stones at the Army.
The situation became chaotic as many scampered for safety when the violent protesters started chanting 'Bamayi' which literally translated in Hausa language to mean, 'We are no longer interested'.
Kano Looting-spree
Kano protest was also marred with violence when some hoodlums, armed with various weapons infiltrated the crowd on Thursday.
They took to the streets in parts of Kano metropolis, looted shops, properties and offices belonging to the Federal Government.
The hoodlums were seen carrying items such as office furniture, air conditioners, computers and metal signboards from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at Audu Bako Secretariat.
In addition, a bus conveying journalists from various media outlets were also attacked along Sokoto Road.
The hoodlums used sticks and machetes to shatter the bus windows, thereby inflicting injuring on TVC and LEADERSHIP reporters.
Other locations such as Rufaida Yoghurt at Kabuga and Kano Printing Press were attacked by the looters.
Also, some personal properties and houses near the Government House were attacked and looted by the hoodlums.
As the protest turned violent, the security personnel were forced to disperse the crowd with teargas.
Borno Bombing, Protest
At least, 19 persons were killed and 20 others sustained varying degrees of injury when a bomb exploded at a popular tea house on Wednesday night, July 31, 2024.
The incident occurred at Kawuri market in Konduga Local Government Area of the state when a suicide bomber detonated an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Kawuri market is located about 50 kilometers from Maiduguri, capital of Borno State.
A Security Analyst and Counter-insurgency Expert for Lake Chad and West Africa, Zagazola Makama said that the bomb detonated on Wednesday night in Kawuri community at about 8.pm.
He said that intelligence sources revealed that suspected Boko Haram terrorists detonated an IED, resulting in the deaths of 17 people and injuring over twenty others.
"The bomber labored in the community for some days with the locals before carrying out the attack.
"Response team were however dispatched to the scene to evacuate the injured victims for treatment while the corpses were taken to Primary Health Care Center.
"The Police Explosive Ordinance Device(EOD) team were deployed to the scene to prove the area from further bombs. Normalcy has been restored, and joint security teams are on cautious alerts, " he added.
News Rider reports that four suicide bombers had on Saturday, June 29, 2024, detonated IEDs in Gwoza town, that led to the killing of 32 persons.
Already, the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has declared a 24-hour curfew.
The decision was taken following a bomb explosion in Konduga and the current protest, which turned violent in parts of the metropolis. It was also meant to restore the already fragile peace in the state.
State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso said that governor Zulum consulted with heads of security agencies before taking the action.
The state government pleaded with the residents to remain calm and law abiding throughout the period of the curfew.
No group has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack, though security agents and residents strongly believe that it was the handiwork of Boko haram insurgents.
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