Hundreds of protesters mostly underaged boys gathered in Kano on Saturday morning on the third day of the #EndBadGovernance protest.
Our correspondent observed that the youths trooped out in areas such as Kurna Asabe, Jain and Brigade to continue the protests.
The State Police Commissioner, Salman Dogo Garba, informed out correspondent that some youths, hiding under a program organized by an unnamed politician at the Nassarawa Palace of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, stormed the streets, chanting anti-government songs.
He said, “It is true that some group of people who took the advantage of a program organized by one politician took to the streets in continuation of their violent protests but we have suppressed them.”
Our correspondent who went through Audu Bako Secretariat in an attempt to get to the State NUJ Office situated at Firm Center, was turned back despite identifying himself as journalist.
Similarly, at the Ahmadu Bello Way, armed policemen blocked the entire road, insisting that nobody will pass through.
An officer who shouted on top of his voice, stressed that there was curfew in the town and nobody will be allowed to go anywhere, including journalists.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had imposed a 24-hour-curfew in Kano after protesters went on rampage on August 1, looting and setting public buildings ablaze.
Police restrict movement in Kano as youths continue protest
Police restrict movement in Kano as youths continue protest
Address protesters’ demands, Osun lawmaker tells FG
The Osun State House of Assembly member, Adewumi Adeyemi, has urged the Federal Government to take immediate action to address the pressing concerns driving the ongoing protests across Nigeria.
In a statement on Saturday in Osogbo, the state capital, Adeyemi acknowledged the widespread coconcerns about hunger, inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and other issues affecting many Nigerians.
He also also advised President Bola Tinubu to communicate directly and frequently with citizens, show empathy, and acknowledge the concerns of the protesters.
The lawmaker also urged the President to outline actions taken and planned, promote constructive dialogue, foster unity and cooperation, and be visible and accessible.
He said, “The right to peacefully protest and express grievances is a cornerstone of our democracy, and these voices must be heard and respected.
“These protests are also a call for accountability and action from all of us in government.
“At the state level, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, we are committed to working together to explore and implement local solutions that can provide some relief to our communities.
“The challenges of hunger, rising prices, security issues, and fuel subsidy removal are critical and demand urgent attention.”
The lawmaker urged the Federal Government to implement measures to curb inflation, provide economic relief, strengthen security measures, and create job opportunities.
He also condemned any form of violence, looting, or destruction of property and emphasised the need for constructive dialogue and cooperation to find sustainable solutions.
“I urge the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to address these pressing concerns.
“By focusing on these key points, you can demonstrate leadership, build trust, and foster a sense of hope and collective action among the citizens.
“Let us work together to build a more secure, stable, and prosperous Nigeria for all,” he added.
Police fault Amnesty International’s claims, say seven died, 681 Arrested
The Nigeria Police Force, on Saturday, said a total of 681 criminal elements were arrested for committing various offences between Thursday and Friday.
This was as the police stated that personnel deployed for the protests had been professional.
The police made this known while responding to the report released by Amnesty International which accused security agencies of killing 13 protesters on the first day of the protest.
The international organisation also slammed the security personnel for deliberately employing tactics designed to kill while managing gatherings and using firearms as a tactical tool for protest management.
According Online reported on Friday that Amnesty International condemned the killing of 13 protesters allegedly killed by security personnel across Nigeria, describing the incident as “unjustified and unacceptable”.
The Country Director, Isa Sanusi, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
However, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Saturday, disagreed with AI’s figures and the allegations levelled against the security operatives.
Adejobi added that apart from the arrests, weapons, including two AK-47 rifles and assorted live ammunition were recovered from the “so-called protesters”.
He said, “The Nigeria Police Force finds it necessary to refute a recent report publicised by Amnesty International, which claims that 13 individuals have lost their lives due to the protests in Nigeria that began on August 1, 2024.
“To combat the trend of crimes and criminality, the police have arrested a total of 681 individuals who committed various criminal offences such as armed robbery, arson, mischief, and destruction of both public and private property. Dangerous weapons, including two AK-47 rifles and assorted live ammunition, were recovered from the so-called protesters.
“Additionally, stolen items such as furniture, electronics, phones, other various shop items, and vital infrastructures worth billions of naira were recovered from the arrested persons. Contrary to circulating news, organizers of the protest or protesters were not arrested.”
Providing clarification on the causality figures, Adejobi said a total of seven persons died.
He said, “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to provide an accurate account of incidents from the first two days of the nationwide protests. In Borno State, four individuals lost their lives and 34 were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd of protesters and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device.
“Additionally, an incident occurred involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into the protesters, resulting in the deaths of two civilians. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Although the vehicle was vandalised after the incident, it has been recovered and is currently in police custody. Efforts are ongoing to trace the driver and bring him to justice.
“There was another incident reported in Yauri, in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State where a group of individuals mobilised to loot a shop. In the process, a local vigilante man shot and killed one of the looters. The Commissioner of Police in charge of Kebbi State is currently investigating the incident. This brings the total number of deaths recorded during the protests to seven.”
He said nine policemen had been injured so far.
Adejobi said, “Those in police custody are under investigation for clear connections to criminal activities. Furthermore, nine police officers sustained various degrees of injuries during attacks by protesters. One of them who initially was reported dead, miraculously survived but remains in critical condition.”
Adejobi noted the protest had turned violent, urging law-abiding citizens not to join anymore.
He said, “The ongoing protest has turned violent. We therefore advise law-abiding citizens taking part in the protest across the country to immediately withdraw from it. This advice becomes necessary in view of the violence that has characterized the protest in the last two days. It is reasonably expected that Peaceful protesters would have withdrawn from the protest that has turned violent.”
Adejobi also said the strategic deployment by security agencies had been effective in curbing the anarchy witnessed on the first day.
He said, “It is essential to recognize that the strategic deployment by the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, and the decisive clampdown on criminal elements exploiting the protests for unlawful activities, has been highly effective in quelling tension and curbing the violence and anarchy witnessed on the first day of the protests.
“During this challenging period, the Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to performing its lawful duties with professionalism, maintaining law and order, and preventing anarchy throughout the country. The Nigeria Police urges all citizens and residents to disregard unfounded and psychologically manipulative reports circulating about incidents during these protests.”
Protest: 7 persons killed, 681 arrested so far – Police release record of incidences
Nigeria Police Force on Saturday released an update on incidents recorded in the nationwide protests against economic hardship in the country.
The Police also dismissed a report by Amnesty International that 13 individuals have so far lost their lives in the ongoing protests, which began on 1st August, 2024.
This is even as the Force said it has also arrested a total of 681 individuals alleged to have committed various criminal offenses, recovering two AK-47 rifles and assorted live ammunition from protesters.
The Police warned that the ongoing protest has turned violent, and advised law abiding citizens to immediately withdraw from the protest.
In a statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer on Saturday, the Nigerian Police said the total number of deaths recorded so far during the protests is seven.
According to the statement, nine Police officers sustained various degrees of injuries during attacks by protesters.
Giving a breakdown of incidents from the first two days of the nationwide protests, Adejobi said: “In Borno State, four (4) individuals lost their lives and thirty-four (34) were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd of protesters and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
“Additionally, an incident occurred involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into the protesters, resulting in the deaths of two (2) civilians.”
The police spokesman also said that there was another incident reported in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State where a group of individuals mobilized to loot a shop, leading to a local vigilante man killing one of the looters.
He said there were no other recorded fatalities during the protests apart from those he mentioned.
However, Adejobi explained that incidences of armed robbery, arson, mischief, looting of public institutions and private businesses, destructions of both public and private property were recorded during the protest.
He said arrests were made with respect to the criminal incidences and a number of recoveries made from the suspects while the protest was going on.
Protest: 7 persons killed, 681 arrested so far – Police release record of incidences
Benue plans marketing board to curb price hike
Following the hike in prices of food and non-food items in Benue State, the state government is seeking ideas to establish a marketing board to regulate the prices of goods in the state.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Benue Investment and Property Company, Dr Raymond Asemakaha disclosed this while delivering his keynote address at a one-day capacity building/training workshop on Economic reporting on Friday.
The event was organised by the correspondents’ chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Benue State Council and was sponsored by BIPC.
Asemakaha who said that the organisation had conducted a survey lamented that the prices of food and non-food items in the state capital were higher than what is obtainable in neighbouring states such as Nasarawa and Abuja, hinted that the idea of introducing a marketing board will soon be tabled before the state assembly.
He said, “What we have discovered in the market survey we have done is that everything in Makurdi is very expensive, even food items. For instance, when we started to build our factory, do you know that we always send money to Abuja to buy building materials, almost everything we buy in Abuja because we discovered that the corruption in Makurdi markets was too high?
“We are even looking at a way of suggesting a Marketing Board which we may discuss with the state assembly to have a board controlling price. Everything in Makurdi is very expensive, even food items.
“Do you know that people go to nearby Laafia (Nasarawa State capital) to buy things? We need to do everything possible to salvage the situation. Even yam that is supposed to be less expensive is costly here in Makurdi. Last week, we wanted to buy something we had to go to Nasarawa to buy it.
The MD also accused market men and women within the capital city of making too much profit on their wares.
The BIPC boss further decried the humiliating ways farmers in the villages are being treated by traders from the northern and eastern parts of the country.
“There is another survey we did about agricultural produce, we discovered that those people from the North and East when they come to buy things, they will not go to the market in the morning rather they will be hibernating somewhere and when it’s 5 pm to 6 pm when the market women are worn out and planning to pack their goods and go home it’s then they will now stroll into the market with their money and buy their goods at ridiculous prices”, he said.
Ekiti gov approves N361m car loans for 544 workers
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the disbursement of N361.5 million as car loans to 544 workers in the state public service.
The Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akintunde Oyebode, who made the disclosure in a statement on Friday, said the governor also gave approvals to expand the scope.
Oyebode stated, “Mr governor has approved the disbursement of N361.5m as car loans to 544 workers in the state public service. Each beneficiary will receive between N250,000 and N2.5m depending on their salary grade levels.
“The governor has also approved the increase of the scheme’s funding pool by N200m.”
This, he said, was part of efforts to ensure adequate funding of the loan scheme and for the programme to accommodate more beneficiaries.
Oyebode said, “The governor has also approved a 100 per cent upward review of the individual loan amount for benefitting civil servants.
“To benefit from the loan scheme, workers must have spent at least five years in service, must have more than five years left and must demonstrate that they will retain at least 50 per cent of their monthly gross pay after the loan deduction.”
Recall that Oyebanji in October last year approved the disbursement of N136.3m as car loans to 368 Civil Servants in the State Public Service.
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World Breastfeeding Day: 1,800 mothers gather to breastfeed babies in Niger
At least 1,800 breast feeding mothers gathered from the 25 local government areas of Niger State to breastfeed their babies simultaneously to commemorate the 2024 World Breastfeeding Week in the state.
The event was organised by Niger State Ministry for Primary Healthcare in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Minna, the state capital.
The UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Kaduna, Gerida Birukila, in her remarks, said the event titled, ‘Closing the Gap: Break the Record, Break Barriers: Breastfeeding Support for All’, was part of efforts to promote the importance of exclusive breastfeeding among women.
Birukila, who was represented by Mrs Grace Odeyemi, UNICEF Consultant in Niger State, explained that the event was an attempt to break the world record for the highest number of lactating women breastfeeding simultaneously.
“We are not just gathered to break a world record, we are here to make history and send a powerful message to the world on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding,” Birukila said.
She lamented that despite efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding, the rates had remained low at 16 per cent, according to Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICs 2021).
“Many mothers face cultural, social, and practical barriers that prevent them from breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of their babies lives”
“Hence the event was targeted at breaking barriers that hinders them from practicing exclusive breastfeeding and creates awareness on the importance of breastfeeding.
“The effort was to achieve the World Health Assembly’s target for exclusive breastfeeding and go beyond 50 per cent target,” she noted.
Also speaking at the event, Hajiya Fatima Bago, Wife of Niger State governor, emphasized the need for relevant authorities to provide support through education, resources or breastfeeding friendly working environment for mothers in the state and the nation at large.
The First Lady, who spoke through the Wife of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Hajiya Jummai Abubakar, announced the donation of 100 bags of rice to the first batch of 100 women to support them and their families.
Similarly, the state Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Bello Turkur, explained that the programme was organized to show the importance of giving more support to mothers to improve the practice of exclusive breastfeeding in the state.
World Breastfeeding Day: 1,800 mothers gather to breastfeed babies in Niger
Doctors to treat injured protesters despite risks
The Nigerian Medical Association has said its members will continue to provide services, especially medical emergency services amid the ongoing nationwide hunger protest.
The NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Lagos.
Audu said that the association had directed its members across the country to promptly treat injured protesters who are brought to health facilities.
“There have been reports of injury, violence, looting and curfew in some states as a result of the protest.
“We also got reports of attacks on ambulances; doctors are no longer feeling safe. We have to ensure the safety of medical practitioners so that they can move freely and save lives,” he said.
Audu advised doctors to be cautious and ensure that they don’t get caught up in the protest while commuting to work.
The NMA president appealed to the protesters to dialogue with the government, while urging the Federal and State governments to ensure that law and order were restored nationwide.
Similarly, the Chairman, NMA, Lagos State Branch, Dr Babajide Saheed, appealed to doctors to treat gunshot victims without demanding a police report in compliance with the Treatment and Care of Gunshot Victims Act.
According to him, gunshot injuries often require specialised care and equipment without which patients are at risk of death or disability.
Saheed further urged the Federal government to ensure reimbursement of private health facilities that render such services.
The chairman appealed to the Federal government to review its economic policies and rejig its economic team to improve the quality of life for citizens.
NAN.
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EndBadGovernance: NBA condemns looting, vandalization, destruction of infrastructure in Jigawa
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dutse Branch of Jigawa State, has condemned what it described as the unfortunate looting, vandalism, and destruction of government infrastructures and private businesses in the state by hoodlums masquerading as protesters.
A statement issued in Dutse, Jigawa State by the branch chairman Mustapha Mohammed Kashim Esq, said the association is shocked and dismayed over “the unpatriotic and riotous acts of some unscrupulous elements”, leading to the wanton destruction of critical infrastructures and assets of the state and local governments, as well as private businesses criminally destroyed and looted on August 1, 2024, across the state.
The statement stated, “The branch commiserates with the government and people of Jigawa State over the unfortunate incident and salutes His excellency, governor Namadi Danmodi’s proactive decision to impose a curfew within the state, thereby curtailing the perpetuation of the criminal activities of the hooligans.”
The chairman commended the security agencies in the state for their professionalism in handling the situation across the state.
It called on the commissioner of Police in Jigawa State to arrest anyone identified and swiftly commence the prosecution of all those found culpable in unleashing mayhem in the state, so as to serve as a deterrent against future recurrence.
EndBadGovernance: NBA condemns looting, vandalization, destruction of infrastructure in Jigawa
‘End protest to save economy’ – Archbishop Martins begs Nigerian youths
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Diocese, Most. Rev. Adewale Martins, on Saturday, appealed for an end to the nationwide protests to save the economy.
Martins made the plea in a statement signed by the Church’s Director of Social Communication, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu.
He said that the prolongation of the protests beyond day three would bear negatively on the economy.
He acknowledged the poverty and hunger in the land, saying that the message had reached its desired end.
The Archbishop called on the state actors to initiate measures to pacify the people with the demands made by the protesters.
He urged the Nigerian Police Force to continue to maintain restraint in engaging with the protesters and regretted incidents where the protests turned to violence and in some places resulted in loss of lives.
“It is our right as citizens for a peaceful protest that has been accomplished and will be ended now.
“The state of our economy should be of concern to us as a people.
“In order not to continue to jeopardize our economy, it is wise we halt the protests and engage the leaders on a round table to streamline the demands for a better Nigerian society,” he said.
‘End protest to save economy’ – Archbishop Martins begs Nigerian youths