Protest Turns Awry in Asokoro, FCT, 6 killed in Niger as Kano, Yobe Slam 24 hour Curfew on States

Amidst reports of a general peaceful protest march across the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, reports say protest around the Asokoro axis of the city went Awry Monday as protesters went berserk leading to exchange of gunshots and firing of teargas cannisters.

Although the situation is said to have put under control, sources told FreshNews that trouble ensued when a crowd of protesters marching in on Kugbo, Asokoro, in the Abuja Municipal Council Area, AMAC, refused to back down when security operatives requested that they retreated.

It would be recalled that a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, on Wednesday evening, ordered that the protest be restricted to the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

However, while some of the protesters took to the terms of the ruling by proceeding to the venue, others defied the ruling as they assembled at various spots across the FCT, apparently prompting the Kugbo order for them to retreat.

Spokesperson for the FCT police command, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident, noted however, that "...a protest has been hijacked by hoodlums in the nation’s capital not far from Niger State."

Aso Rock, the seat of the nation's government, other important government establishments, including military barracks, are domiciled in Asokoro.

Meanwhile six protesters have been reported killed in Niger state with several others sustaining various degree of injuries. The development followed clashes between some unidentified hoodlums and security operatives. 

According to witnesses the unidentified hoodlums blockade major roads in some parts of the state, including the Kaduna-Abuja highway which they blocked for hours, despite pleadings for them to avoid such incidents. 

Some of those killed were said to be innocent people hit by stray bullets.Two of the victims were said to have died in front of Suleja Police 'A' Division.

One of them, identified as Yahaya Ndah Isah, was said to have been killed while riding his motor bike in from of the station.

The other victim, simply identified as Mallam Abu, was also killed at the same location.

In his reaction, spokesperson for the state police command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, explained that the hoodlums attempted to set the Tafa council area office ablaze but were resisted and dispersed by security operatives.

Kano state government became the first in the country to formally declare a 24 hour curfew following a breakdown of law and order.

State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, made the announcement at a press conference Monday following the degeneration of the protest in particularly the state capital.

“After careful consideration, we have come to terms that 24 hours curfew should be put in place to further prevent looting and vandalisation of businesses and killing of innocent citizens.”

The governor also directed all security agencies in the state to ensure that the curfew order is fully and strictly complied with in order to avoid complete breakdown of law and order.

Yobe Too

Following the burning of seven Mass Transit buses in Potiskum, the headquarters of Potiskum council area of the state, Yobe state followed the example of Kano to declare a statewide, 24 hour Curfew.

State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, gave the order.

he buses were burnt on the premises of the local government secretariat in Potiskum on council area Secretariat.

According to reports, some unidentified persons made their way into the area in large numbers and went on to cause mayhem. However, security operatives quickly stepped in and prevented what would have ended in further destruction.

State command spokesperson, Dungus Abdulkarim, who confirmed the incident, simply noted that the perpetrators will be brought to book.