Protests: Kaduna, Zaria boil; over N700bn lost in 5 days — ASBON, KACCIMA.

By Soni Daniel, Emma Ujah, Kingsley Omonobi, Yinka Kolawole, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Bashir Bello, Ozioruva Aliu, Luminous Jannamike, Marie-Therese Nanlong, Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, Idris Salisu

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KADUNA — The nationwide protest against hunger in the country turned riotous in Kaduna and Zaria yesterday, compelling the state government to declare a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

 

Protests: Kaduna, Zaria boil; over N700bn lost in 5 days — ASBON, KACCIMA

Protests: Kaduna, Zaria boil; over N700bn lost in 5 days — ASBON, KACCIMA

By Soni Daniel, Emma Ujah, Kingsley Omonobi, Yinka Kolawole, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Bashir Bello, Ozioruva Aliu, Luminous Jannamike, Marie-Therese Nanlong, Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, Idris Salisu

 

KADUNA — The nationwide protest against hunger in the country turned riotous in Kaduna and Zaria yesterday, compelling the state government to declare a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

 

Aside from Kaduna, the protest also continued in Lagos, Abuja, Jos, Benin, Kano, and Zamfara, despite President Bola Tinubu’s nationwide broadcast on Sunday.

 

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Meanwhile, losses to the economy have been estimated at over N700 billion in the first five days of protest against hardship, and while N600 billion was recorded in Lagos, Kano lost over N100 billion, the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria, ASBON, and Kano Chamber of Commerce and Industry, KACCIMA, declared yesterday.

 

Miscreants hijack protest, loot shops in Kaduna

 

Miscreants and other criminal elements hijacked the protest in Kaduna, unleashing terror on unsuspecting citizens by breaking into shops and snatching cell phones.

 

One of the miscreants in Kawo area of Kaduna North, met his waterloo as a mob beat him to stupor before handing him to security operatives.

 

The hoodlums also stopped vehicles going in and out of the state capital from the Zaria road axis, molested passengers and forcibly seized phones and other valuables, while brandishing dangerous weapons.

 

A procession of the protesters, comprising mainly youths, children and women, and hoisting the flag of Russia, moved from Kawo to join other protesters and tried to occupy the NEPA roundabout in the heart of the city.

 

They were subsequently, dispersed by security operatives when the miscreants among them started burgling shops and looting.

 

Soldiers drafted, hoodlums overpower security operatives, curfew imposed

 

Meanwhile, there was heavy fight between miscreants in Tudun Wada, Kaduna and the security operatives as the youths continued to emerge in large numbers, destroying properties and looting shops.

 

It was the intervention of the military that restored sanity in the area, even though the hoodlums had reportedly taken over an Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, earlier deployed to the area to scare them away.

 

Before the military arrived, hundreds of miscreants hauled stones and other objects at a commercial bank near the polytechnic, vandalised staff cars and stole valuables.

 

Activities came to an abrupt end in the area as customers and other workers were seen scampering for their lives in Tudun Wada, which was tensed before curfew was imposed and soldiers deployed to area.

 

The police had earlier, warned that anyone found vandalising or looting shops, would not be considered a protester but criminal.

 

The Police had arrested a number of persons who were supplying the protesters with Russian flags and other offensive items used during the protest.

 

In Zaria, about 75 km from Kaduna, the situation was tense as there was massive looting by the hoodlums but security operatives were able to contain the situation.

 

“Two hoodlums who tried to assault a security operative at the Danmagaji area in Zaria, were feared dead,” a source told journalists.

 

In an interview, a commissioner in Zamfara State, Alhaji Haidara, said just like in Kaduna, the protesters in Gusau also hoisted the Russian flag.

 

He said: “Some of the protesters, especially the children, do not even know the implication of what they were doing. They don’t even know the Russian flag given to them.”

 

However, a protester, who craved anonymity, said they were trying to attract the attention of Russia by waving the flag, so President Putin could come to their aid.

 

“Since the West like America and UK abandoned us and are conniving with the government to worsen our plight, we are now seeking the attention of Russia to come to our aid, just as was done in Niger Republic and other countries in the Sahel,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, there was calm in Kaduna, Zaria and environs at press time as the state government imposed a dusk to dawn curfew to stop further destruction and looting by the hoodlums.

 

Businesses in Kano incurred over N100bn losses — KACCIMA

 

Similarly, the former Deputy President, Kano State Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture, KACCIMA, Usman Darma, said losses incurred in the state within the five days of the protest was well over N100 billion.

 

He said: “70 per cent in the state are into commerce and business, while 25 per cent of neighbouring African countries trade with Kano.

 

“With the current situation, businesses have been shut down. Kano State is the worst hit. So, aside from looting and vandalism of properties, the state incurred losses of over N100 billion minimum within the five days.’’

 

Similarly, the President of Nigeria’s largest grain market, Dawanau, Muntaka Isa, put the losses incurred by the market from the commencement of the protest till date at over N2 billion.

 

Recovering from protests’ll be difficult —Abuja Chamber of Commerce

 

In the same vein, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ACCI, said yesterday it would be difficult to recover from losses suffered by businesses in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, as a result of the ongoing protest.

 

The Director-General of the chamber, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, said although the financial figures of losses had not yet been put together, it ran into hundreds of million of naira.

 

He said: “The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has experienced significant financial losses due to the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, with costs running into hundreds of millions of naira.

 

“The demonstrations led to the shutdown of major business areas, such as markets and shopping malls in the city and were marred by attacks from hoodlums, resulting in extensive property damage, looting of closed shops, and increased security expenses.

 

“Particularly, affected were businesses in Lugbe axis and Mararaba area of Abuja, which reported incidents of vandalism and looting by miscreants.”

 

Jideani, who expressed concern over the substantial losses incurred, added: “The cost of repairing the damage in the affected areas will place a significant burden on business owners, especially given the current challenges to business growth. Recovering from this setback will be difficult.’’

He said ACCI had taken a proactive stance before the protests, with its President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, issuing a statement urging calm and vigilance.

 

“Chief Obegolu’s statement was a call for restraint and caution, aiming to protect the business community, which often becomes a target during protests,” he added.

 

While highlighting the significant disruptions caused to the business community in Abuja, Jideani said “businesses, ranging from small local shops to larger corporations, were forced to halt operations, leading to a substantial loss of revenue.

 

“The decline in customer turnout, coupled with the costs associated with security and repairs, has raised major concerns among local entrepreneurs.”

 

Federal offices deserted as protesters remain unyielding in Abuja

 

As the protest continued yesterdaym for the fifth day, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, witnessed a surge in vehicular movements, indicating a gradual return to normalcy.

 

However, government offices at the federal secretariat complex remained deserted, with only a few staff reporting for duty.

 

Despite the increased vehicular movements, petty traders who rely on government workers for patronage were left waiting, as business remained slow.

 

The protests have significantly impacted the daily lives of Abuja residents, with many struggling to cope with the disruptions.

 

The protesters, who have taken to the streets in cities across the country, are demanding an end to hunger, food inflation, and bad governance, and are also calling for the return of fuel subsidy, among other demands.

 

The government is yet to effectively address the protesters’ demands.

 

Recall that President Bola Tinubu made a broadcast on Sunday in an attempt to address the protests.

 

However, the broadcast was widely criticized for falling short of expectation of organizers of the protests, as well as prominent figures, such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, among others, who expressed disappointment with the President’s broadcast.

 

DSS arrests protesters at 2am in Abuja

 

Speaking on the protest yesterday, National Coordinator of Youths Right Campaign, Michael Adaramoye, said: ‘’We condemn the gestapo abduction of Mr. Babatunde Oluajo (Sankara) and Mr. Adaramoye Michael Lenin, by the DSS in Abuja, at about 2am Monday August 5, 2024, yesterday.

 

‘’They were abducted alongside other other occupant of the house. We assure Asiwaju Tinubu, that this will not dissuade the protesters but further embolden our resolve to end tyranny and attack on the living standard of Nigerians. We demand immediate and unconditional release of Michael and Babatude Now!’’

 

Protesters converge in Lagos, despite Tinubu’s address, police fire teargas

 

In Lagos, protesters converged on the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, to continue their demonstration yesterday, despite the nationwide broadcast by President Bola Tinubu on Sunday.

 

The determination to continue the pretest followed a statement signed on Sunday by Hassan Taiwo, Ayoyinka Oni and Adegboyega Adeniji, on behalf of the organising committee, saying the address by President Bola Tinubu had yet to address their demands.

 

They said they had listened with rapt attention to President Tinubu’s broadcast on Sunday and “consider it rather unfortunate” that it took President Tinubu three days of protest to address the country.’’

 

While taking note of Tinubu’s offer of dialogue in his broadcast, the protest organisers noted that they were concerned that in the same breadth, the President had also ordered that the protest be suspended.

 

“In our view, the president cannot be approbating and reprobating at the same time. The President cannot offer an olive branch while at the same time holding a dagger to our throat,” the trio said.

The statement condemned the scenario “where thugs attacked protesters who had gathered for Sunday morning worship thereby injuring many.”

 

Vanguard gathered yesterday that the protesters’ attempt to take their protest to Alausa, the seat of power in Lagos, was frustrated by hoodlums who attacked them in the full glare of policemen.

 

Rescue Nigerians now, protesters with Russian flags beg Putin in Zamfara

 

In Gusau, the Zamfara State capital protesters defied President Tinubu’s directive, stormed the streets of Gusau, waving Russian flags and calling on President Viladimir Putin to come to the rescue of Nigerians.

 

The protesters, who wielded leaves as a mark of peace, and Russian flags, chanted solidarity songs as they marched through the streets of Gusau.

 

They told journalists that the reason they wielded Russian flags was to indicate the country’s grievances and need for urgent response from President Putin to rescue the country from its present predicament.

 

The protesters said they were out on a peaceful demonstration but not to cause violence or cause destruction of government or public properties, but to ensure the leaders in the country knew about their grievances.

 

One of the leaders, Yakubu Aliyu, popularly called “the leader” told our Correspondent that the speech made by President Tinubu has provoked Nigerians, describing it as empty.

 

Russia not party to flags flown during protest — Embassy

 

But the Russian Embassy in Nigeria, in a swift reaction yesterday, insisted that the Russian government had no involvement with the national flags displayed during the nationwide protest.

 

The statement read: “The Embassy has noted the reports in Nigerian media and the circulation of videos and images in digital media depicting protesters in northern states of the country carrying Russian flags and chanting slogans to Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

 

“The government of the Russian Federation as well as any Russian officials are not involved in these activities and do not coordinate them in any way.

 

“As always, we emphasize that Russia does not interfere in the domestic affairs of foreign states, including Nigeria. These intentions of some protesters to wave Russian flags are personal choices of individuals, and they do not reflect any official position or policy of the Russian government in the issue.

 

“We respect Nigerian democracy and believe that peaceful demonstrations in conformity with the Nigerian law are a manifestation of democracy. However, should these events lead to any disruptions or acts of violence, we strictly condemn them.”

 

Protesters stay home as hoodlums defy curfew, confront security agents

 

in Plateau State, protesters complied with the state government’s curfew in Jos/Bukuru metropolis.

However, hoodlums poured unto the streets in a section of Jos as security agents tried to contain them and prevent the outbreak of violence.

 

The Old Airport Junction, venue of the daily protest, was deserted as the protesters remained indoors.

 

The state police command deployed men to quell the resistance to the curfew by some hoodlums in Dilimi and other nearby communities in Jos North local government area.

 

The hoodlums were mostly young people, armed with dangerous weapons and tried to loot shops in the city centre.

 

Some yet-to-be-ascertained numbers of persons were also arrested for defying the curfew and breaking into shops along Bauchi Road and the Zololo area of Jos North.

 

However, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, who appealed for compliance to the curfew, said: “In line with the Plateau State government’s imposed 24-hour curfew, following the actions of unscrupulous elements, amid the peaceful protest in the state, Plateau State police command has robustly made deployments to various areas within Jos/Bukuru metropolis to prevent further breakdown of law and order.’’

 

Protesters defy Edo govt, hoodlums block roads in Benin

 

In Edo State, despite the order by the state government that roads should not blocked, suspected hoodlums yesterday blocked some roads in Benin City and on outskirts, as some protesters continued their street demonstration, insisting they would be on the road for ten days before they would re-strategize for the next .line of action against government.

 

Though life is gradually picking up in the state capital, many businesses, including banks, remained shut, apparently for fear of being attacked by suspected hoodlums.

 

All the banks and most shops and offices along Airport Road, Ekehuan Road, Sapele road, Sokponba Road and environs remained shut.

 

While police went through Sapele Road to the bypass to clear the road blocks, suspected hoodlums mounted roadblocks around Upper Mission from Teboga Junction and extorted motorists.

 

Parts of TV road were also blocked just as Egba Junction after the bypass, along the Benin –Auchi road, was also blocked by suspected hoodlums.

 

In Ekheuan Road where suspected hoodlums took over on Sunday, soldiers were stationed at Erediauwa Junction Asoro Bustop and other areas along the road to prevent the road from being blocked against motorists.

 

Speaking to Vanguard, one of the leaders of the protesters, Omobude Agho, also carpeted President Bola Tinubu’s Sunday broadcast, saying it was hollow.

 

He said: “We are still in the street because this protest is for ten days, it is a warning protest, ten days warning protest. Afterwards, the protest will go to the next level, so we have only done four days and today (yesterday) is the fifth day and we must continue.

 

‘’Some government-sponsored people tried to infiltrate the protest, so that they can discredit it and a lot of persons are being misled. So we want to rekindle the spirit of Nigerians to wake up and defend their right.’’

 

Tinubu, security chiefs in closed-door meeting

 

As the protest continued in some parts of the country yesterday, President Bola Tinubu met behind closed doors with heads of security and paramilitary operatives under the aegis of National Security Council, NCS, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

 

The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, led the service chiefs and other military and paramilitary heads to the meeting.

 

Recall that President Tinubu on Sunday in a national broadcast, had pleaded with organizers of the nationwide protest to suspend action, especially as it had gone violent in some states, with attendant loss of lives and destruction of property.

 

Also present at the meeting were Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, among others

 

Police arrest 31 distributors, producers of Russian flags in Kano, Kaduna, others

Also yesterday, the Nigerian Police said it has arrested 31 persons for what it described as treason for producing and distributing Russian flags and calling for anarchy

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this, said 30 persons were arrested in Kaduna, while one person who was recruiting persons for distribution of the flags, was arrested in Kano.

 

Adejobi also said that as at today (yesterday) the number of persons arrested “who are not protesters but criminal elements, rioters” in connection with the protest were 873, up from 861 at the weekend.

 

He spoke at the joint press briefing of spokespersons of security and response agencies at the headquarters of the Department of State Services, DSS.

 

Adejobi said: “What we are having in the country right now are protests, demonstration and riots. Those arrested are rioters, armed robbees, looters and criminal elements. Arrest of criminal elements should not be described as arrest of protesters.

 

“Those arrested so far across the country are criminally-minded persons, looters engaged in criminal offences, such as vandalism and destruction of public and critical infrastructure. So, we should use the appropriate description for them, they are not protesters.’’

 

Speaking on allegations of using live bullets against protesters at MKO Abiola Stadium, ACP Adejoba said the Police and sister security agencies have operated in line with rules of engagement in managing the protest.’

 

He said: “Using tear gas against protesters when they resort to violence is allowed anywhere in the world. We have reiterated that we will not fold our arms to see vilence again. In some states, protesters have been so violent, to the extent that they attempted to break into Government House.

 

‘’We need to use our words contextually this time around. I know we are aware that we are having protests in Nigeria. At the same time, we are aware we have riots in some states in Nigeria. So arrests of certain individuals who have been riotous should not be seen as the arrest of protesters. Let us get it clear.

 

“Again, we have been able to arrest some individuals who engaged themselves in what I call treasonable felony. To carry the flags of a foreign country on a sovreign land is a criminal offense. We have arrested them.

 

‘’Just this morning (yesterday), we arrested one Ahmed Tailor from Kano, in Kano local government area, for producing a large quantity of Russian flags, giving them to young Nigerians to fly for reasons best known to him.

 

“We are profiling him. We want to get other sponsors like him. As I speak with you, the same thing has happened in Kaduna. We’ve been able to arrest 30 of them with same Russian flags.

 

‘The undertones of this protest, based on our intelligence before it commenced on August 1, 2024, have begun to manifest, because I don’t think end bad governance peaceful protest should generate to a level where a foreign country’s flag will be flown in Nigeria. And it’s spreading from one state to another. Are we still having a protest? That is a big question for all of you.”