*Police Impose Curfew In Borno As Security Operatives Disperse Protesters In Zamfara
Organised Civil Society on Thursday knocked the Nigeria Police Force for tear-gassing “defenceless protesters” in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Bauchi, and other states in the country.
In a statement, the United Action Front of Civil Society said three peaceful protesters tear-gassed by the police fainted in Abuja with many others injured.
The CSO leader Olawale Okunniyi alleged that pro-government protesters forced anti-hunger protesters out of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, the venue designated by the government.
“The anti-hunger protesters sensing danger and possible violent clash, decided to quietly move in peaceful procession to the Eagle Square, where they had earlier designated to hold their peaceful protest.
“On getting to the Eagle Square, security agents swooped on them and unleashed mayhem on peaceful protesters with tear gas canisters, injuring several unarmed and defenceless protesters with three protesters reported to have fainted.”
The group strongly condemned the “resort to violence by the police in Abuja, Lekki, Kaduna and other centres in the country contrary to the assurances given to us by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun during our consultative meeting with him on Tuesday”.
“We find this show of force and reckless use of force unacceptable and barbaric and therefore call on the IGP to immediately call his men to order before the situation degenerates beyond control,” the statement said.
Propagated on social media, the nationwide protests against economic hardship, tagged #EndBadGovernance, started on Thursday, August 1, 2024, and is scheduled to stretch till August 10 across all states of the Federation as well as the nation’s capital Abuja.
Prices of food and basic commodities have gone through the roof in the last months, as Nigerians battle one of the country’s worst inflation rates and economic crises sparked by the government’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows.
The police, military and the Department of State Services had warned against Kenya-styled protests. Politicians, who surmised that the planned rallies might end up like the EndSARS demonstrations of October 2020, have continued to appeal to youths to shelve the planned rallies but the young people have been unfazed.
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Police Impose Curfew In Borno As Security Operatives Disperse Protesters In Zamfara
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in collaboration with other security agencies, have imposed a 24-hour curfew in Borno State following a recent tragic incident.
The announcement comes in response to the detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED) in Kawori, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people and left several others critically injured. The decision was taken to prevent further unrest and maintain public order in the state.
In a press release, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the Police Public Relations Officer for Borno State, conveyed the directive from Governor Babagana Umar Zulum.
The statement emphasized the state’s commitment to preserving law and order, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate action.
“In line with our constitutional mandate towards the restoration of law and order, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum, in consultation with heads of security in the state, finds it expedient to declare a 24-hour curfew in the state with immediate effect,” the statement read.
According to the authorities, the curfew aims to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of the residents. The people of Borno have been urged to remain calm and law-abiding, even as the security operatives say that the situation is under control and that any further developments will be communicated promptly.
The curfew restricts movement throughout the state, and security forces have been deployed to enforce the order strictly.
Simultaneously, in Zamfara State, joint security forces comprising the Nigerian Police and the Army intervened to disperse protesters in the capital, Gusau.
The demonstrators had reportedly mounted a roadblock along the Government House, protesting against various grievances, including perceived government inaction on issues of insecurity and governance.
The situation escalated when the protesters refused to disperse despite warnings from the authorities. In response, the police said it used teargas to break up the gathering, while the army deployed an armored vehicle to restore order.
The security forces say they successfully cleared the area, and normalcy has since been restored.
The police and other security agencies have reiterated their commitment to maintaining peace and order in the face of the protest. They have also called on the public to cooperate with the authorities and avoid any actions that could lead to further violence or disruption.
As the situation continues to develop, both in Borno and Zamfara, the authorities say they remain vigilant and ready to respond to any incidents that may arise. The public is encouraged to stay informed through official channels and comply with all directives from law enforcement agencies.
