••• Protesters Raze Lga Secretariat
By Attah Ede
No few than three persons have been reportedly shot dead by police with 17 others badly injured during the nationwide hardship protest that turned bloody in Suleja, Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, Thursday.
The Network gathered that the injured are being attended to, at Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital Abuja.
It was gathered that a confrontation started when youths defied the early morning rain to assemble at the Suleja Old Motor Park for the nationwide protest before the police Area Commander, led a team of riot police to stop them from protesting.
It was further gathered that the angry youths reportedly shun the police directives to leave the area, insisting that their protest was peaceful and within the bounds of the law.
“The police released canisters of tear gas in an attempt to disperse the protesters but action angered the youths, who maintained they had no intention of violence.
“In the process, the youths starting throwing stones, sticks, and other objects at the police, vandalising a police vehicle attached to the Area Commander’s office (registration number NPF 9102C).
“The youths then followed the police to the Area Commander’s office and attempted to storm the station but were prevented by heavily armed officers.
“The confrontation escalated, resulting in the police using live ammunition, killing three youths instantly.
“I can tell you that the number of those who sustained bullet injuries are over 17, and we don’t know if they will survive it,” a source told our the Sun.
Although the police is yet to comment on the killings, the Area Commander reportedly denied knowledge of the deaths until he was taken to a healthcare centre where the victims were confirmed dead.
It was gathered that the youths who were incensed by the killing of three of their members mobilized to set the Tafa local government secretariat in the state on fire.
There are reports that over 50 youths turned on the secretariat in anger and razed it.
The Spokesman of the Niger State Police Command, Mr Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the ugly incident to journalists in a statement.
“The hoodlums vandalized the Secretariat, partly set it ablaze, two cars were also burnt and two other vandalized.
“They further looted valuables there-in, 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.
“Following the nationwide protest slated to commence today 1st August, 2024, unfortunately this morning at about 0930hrs, some miscreants of Tafa area of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State and that of Hayin-Diko Gurara LGA of Niger State mobilized and stormed Tafa LGA Secretariat of Niger State located along Abuja-Kaduna expressway, Sabon-Wuse Niger State.
“The Police and other security agencies responded to the blockage of the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, and old toll-gate and the hoodlums were dispersed. Presently, the expressway has been reopened for motorists and there is free flow of traffic along the highway. “However, investigation into the violent act has commenced with a view to arrest other fleeing miscreants”, he said.
With reports from the Sun