‘Two killed’, 11 arrested as hoodlums hijack protest in Niger state

Two protesters have been reportedly shot dead during the ongoing nationwide protest in the Suleja LGA of Niger state.

The nationwide protest that kicked off today across many states in the country has been characterised by violence.

The demonstration is against “bad governance and the economic hardship” in the country.

Sadiq Suleja, a candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the Suleja constituency in the last elections who confirmed the incident, told TheCablesaid that the shooting started at about 11 am.

Suleja said security operatives shot seven people during the demonstration, but two died.

He said the protesters were attacked by some “political thugs” who attempted to hijack the protest along the Suleja Club area of the state.

He said those who sustained gunshot injuries have been taken to some primary healthcare centres in Suleja.

“Seven people were shot, two died, and others are receiving treatment at the primary health care centre in Suleja,” he said.

“Some political thugs were said to have attacked some of the protesters on the way along Suleja Club, but the police were able to disperse them.

“One of the persons that died—I think Yahaya was his name, was hit by a stray bullet. The incident happened around 11 pm.”

In a statement on Thursday, Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson in Niger state, said 11 protesters were arrested for vandalising properties in the Tafa area of the state.

Abiodun said the protesters were wielding “dangerous weapons,” adding that two cars were burnt, while two other vehicles were vandalised.

“Following the nationwide protest slated to commence today, 1st August 2024, unfortunately, this morning at about 0930hrs, some miscreants of the Tafa area of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna state and that of Hayin-Diko Gurara LGA of Niger State mobilised and stormed Tafa LGA secretariat of Niger state located along Abuja-Kaduna expressway, Sabon-Wuse Niger state,” the statement reads.

“The hoodlums vandalised the secretariat, partly set ablazed, two cars were also burnt and two others vandalised.

“They further looted valuables therein, while the police and other security agencies responded to the scene and arrested eleven violent miscreants with different dangerous weapons, including firearms, as others were dispersed from the scene and some of the looted items were recovered.

“The police and other security agencies responded to the blockage of the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, and the old tollgate and the hoodlums were dispersed.

“Presently, the expressway has been reopened for motorists, and there is a free flow of traffic along the highway. However, the investigation into the violent act has commenced with a view to arrest other fleeing miscreants.”

The police spokesperson did not comment on the alleged killing of protesters by security operatives in Suleja.

‘SIX PERSONS NOT KILLED IN SULEJA/TAFA’

The police spokesperson also dismissed reports that six persons lost their lives during the violent protest in Tafa/Suleja area of Niger State which is untrue.

The Command therefore reemphasized as earlier stated that violent miscreants stormed the Tafa LGA Secretariat, looted, vandalized and partly set the building ablazed, vehicles were damaged and burnt, while security agencies responded, made arrest and dispersed the hoodlums.

During this process, there was no loss of life, and there was no report of such as the violent protesters were dispersed with the use of minimum force, however some miscreants were mildly injured during stampede and most of them were taken to different nearby medical facilities for treatment.

Normalcy was restored in the area, meanwhile monitoring continues as security has been beefed-up in the areas to forestall breakdown of law and order.