Day 1: Nationwide Protest-Abuja Situation Report

The much awaited nationwide protest against Bad Governance, hardship and hunger took off across many cities Nigeria Thursday, July 1, 2024. Amidst fears that it would degenerate into a breakdown of security, FreshNews Correspondents across the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, can report authoritatively that save one or two incidents, it was very peaceful.

One of our correspondent who went through the Karshi, Orozo, Kurudu, Kari road before transiting to through the Nyanya expressway, beginning from Masaka, reported that the only sad incident along the routes was an attempt by hoodlums to block the Expressway at the "Check Point" bus stop, between Mararaba and Nyanya. They did not only block the road, they went ahead to harass commuters and also vandalized two cars before soldiers intervened and dispersed them hoodlums mainly miscreants from surrounding environment. 

Another ugly incident took place in Kurudu where angry protesters blocked the road, burnt tires and made it impossible for commuters to make their way through. The face off resulted in security personnel being drafted to the scene. However, the protesters resisted the security men until the latter began shooting teargas canisters to disperse the protesters. 

Generally, the situation between Masaka Mararaba and Nyanya was nothing out of the usual. Except however, that most shops along the route were under lock and key at the early hours of the day. A trader told our correspondent that they were simply waiting for events to unfold.

Activities at the Interstate motor parks were without their usual boisterous nature as passengers failed to turn up. A driver who spoke with our correspondence at the Nyanya interstate motor park, explained that only a few drivers have so far made their way out of the park due to fears of the unknown.

Preferring to remain anonymous, he that most of the drivers opted to wait and watch to see how the situation evolved before venturing out.

"We don't want leave here and then run into trouble along the way. We just want to see how it goes before any of us can venture out. We don't want to take chances," he volunteered.

FreshNews can also report that there was no incident between Nyanya and the Federal Secretariat, Central Business District, CBD. However, an impromptu security checkpoint was mounted shortly after the Kubo interchange. The attendant traffic build-up was the only sad reminder of the notorious gridlock that often took effect between the area and the Mogadishu (also known as Abacha) Barracks.

The situation at the CBD, the home of the Federal Secretariat, Eagle Square and the Three Arm Zone, was water tight in terms of security. In particular, the Eagle Square, the venue earlier schedule for the march until a late evening court injunction on Wednesday put paid to it, was a No-Go area, except for those with genuine reasons. 

Beside the Federal Secretariat and Eagle Square that were conformed off with military personnel security personnel mounted on armored vehicles, entrance to the National Assembly was no less so.

For instance, one of the entrances to the complex was securely under lock and key while other, as if coming from the Villa, was opened. However, the security check on the route was massive. Among others, anyone without requisite identification papers were asked to go back without any option. Our correspondent who made a cameo appearance at the point was asked to identify himself, after which he was asked to leave.

FreshNews also learnt that there was another checkpoint at the Mopo Gates, leading up to the National Assembly proper. As it was in the first entrance, security checks were equally extensive and rigorous.

In addition to identity cards, those without entry permits were asked to back to wherever. Paper passes were not accepted. That way, a number of staff of establishments within the complex were thus turned back.

Noticeably, the Secretariat and other public buildings within the CBD were mainly deserted as workers capitalized on the protest to stay away from work. All ministries were affected as one could count workers who made their ways into them could be counted on the finger.