Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has expressed deep concern over the extensive damage caused by hoodlums who hijacked the nationwide protest against hunger and hardship.
The violence led to significant destruction of both public and private properties in Gombe State.
After inspecting the affected areas in the Gombe metropolis, Governor Yahaya visited several damaged facilities, including the Gombe State Bureau of Public Service Reforms, the Bima Lodge, Kumbiya-Kumbiya Primary Healthcare Centre, and the Blue Jay Motor Park, where six Sienna vehicles were destroyed.
The governor also toured the Gombe Main Market, where he met with business owners and offered words of consolation for their losses.
Inuwa directed the Ministry of Works, Transport and Housing, and the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, to conduct a thorough assessment of the damages to facilitate support for those affected.
“I have gone round to personally assess the extensive damage caused by the violent protest. From what I have seen, the destruction is enormous.
“Not just public facilities, businesses were also affected.” He lamented.
He stressed the importance of maintaining peace in Gombe, a state known for its stability, and urged residents to avoid actions that could disrupt harmony.
While acknowledging the challenges and hardships faced by the people, the governor stated that violence and destruction are not acceptable means of expressing grievances.
“Gombe is known for its peace, and we must preserve it. We cannot allow actions that threaten our stability.
“We have no state other than Gombe. We understand that there are challenges and hardships in the land, but we must not resort to violence and destruction of our state to express our feelings or concerns.
“Let me make it clear: we are not against peaceful protest. We know that democracy and our laws grant the right to express oneself, but yesterday’s event contradicted democratic principles and violated the law.” He stated.
The Governor said his administration is ready to support any peaceful demonstration, and the police are ready to give protesters the maximum protection to exercise their constitutional rights once they follow the laid down rules, stating “What we cannot allow, is the breakdown of law and order.”
Yahaya urged residents to resume their economic and social activities, assuring them of safety and security.
He also commended the swift response and professionalism displayed by the security agencies in containing the situation.
“We commend the security agencies for the efforts they put in tackling the escalation of the violence.
“Their prompt action played a crucial role in preventing further chaos and restoring order,” he concluded.
Hunger Protest: Gov Yahaya laments violence, damage to properties in Gombe
Hunger Protest: Gov Yahaya laments violence, damage to properties in Gombe
#EndBadGovernance protests continue as demonstrators defy appeals to stand down
#EndBadGovernance demonstrators have again taken to the streets in Lagos and Port Harcourt, on Saturday, to press on with their demands.
This is despite appeals from authorities and religious leaders to shelve the protests,
The protests, which began on August 1, aim to draw attention to the country’s economic woes, including a 34% inflation rate, fuel subsidy removal, and the devaluation of the naira.
Placard-wielding youths gathered at the Ojota end of Lagos and Pleasure Park in Port Harcourt, chanting songs and lamenting the government’s insensitivity to the plight of ordinary Nigerians.
READ ALSO:Police detains 320 suspects for vandalizing properties in Kano #EndBadGovernance protest
Police officers were present at both venues to ensure a peaceful procession. Economic activities continued uninterrupted as the protests gained momentum.
In Benin City, Edo State, protesters also gathered in a carnival-like atmosphere, defying calls to stand down.
The demonstrations have entered their third day, with protesters insisting on not backing down until their demands are met.
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Marketers accuse NNPC, DAPPMA of causing petrol scarcity
Petroleum marketers have blamed the current scarcity of petroleum products on the alleged shady deals between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMA, and the regulatory agency, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA.
The marketers claimed that the deals involving the NNPC, the tank farm owners and the NMDPRA, were inimical to the availability of the products and seamless distribution to retail outlets.
Against this background, the downstream operators have called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the issue.
The marketers who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that NNPCL being the sole importer of the products now put the Independent Marketers whom they noted have the largest retail outlets in the country at the mercy of the DAPPMA (the tank farm owners).
TVN reports that NNPCL, the sole importer, gives petrol to the private depot owners operating under the aegis of DAPPMA at a depot price of N556.5 per litre.
Investigations, however, revealed that the tank farm owners sell to marketers at N700 to N740.00, leaving them with little or no marginal profit to sell at stations.
One of the marketers who pleaded anonymity said: “What we used to have in the past was an arrangement where the NNPCL gave allocations meant for Independent marketers to the private depot owners to sell to marketers with a benchmark, a reasonable price.
“Now, the independent marketers have no allocation, they are at the mercy of the tank farm owners. A situation where there is no ex-depot price won’t augur well for the industry. Private depot owners now sell at N800 to those of us who will sell at retail outlets to ordinary Nigerians.
“We are the ones Nigerians are accusing of hoarding products and selling at exorbitant prices. Instead of the midstream regulatory agency doing its job by beaming its searchlight on the activities of the tank farm owners, by insisting on the ex-depot price they are using the marketers as scapegoats.
“There is a cabal in the sector creating problems for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He must show the determined will to break their rank. How many stations do tank farm owners have.? But they are making huge profits to the detriment of Nigerians.”
Marketers accuse NNPC, DAPPMA of causing petrol scarcity
PDP criticises Tinubu’s silence on national protests
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his failure to address the nation amid widespread protests across the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, demanded that President Tinubu immediately address pressing issues such as reducing petroleum prices, stabilizing the Naira, and ensuring food security.
The PDP expressed concerns that the President’s silence is fueling public apprehension and perpetuating the notion that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government is insensitive to citizens’ plight.
The party criticized the reported brutality of security operatives against unarmed protesters and called for an immediate end to the violence.
The PDP urged President Tinubu to reassure citizens on key issues, including reducing petrol prices to N200 per liter, recovering stolen funds, and cutting governance costs.
The party also demanded a thorough investigation into the reported killings of unarmed protesters and emphasized the need for security agencies to maintain professionalism in their duties.
The statement reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flays President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his failure to address the nation despite the crippling nationwide protest by Nigerians.
“The PDP demands that President Tinubu immediately address Nigerians on urgent steps to reduce the price of petroleum products, stem the fall of the Naira and ensure the speedy provision of food among other critical issues so as to revamp the productive sector, stimulate employment and restore stability in the polity.
READ ALSO:More confusion as two courts give different rulings on PDP’s nomination of Ighodalo for Edo guber poll
“Our Party expresses concerns that President Tinubu’s silence is sending a very dangerous signal and heightening public apprehension that the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The APC government is insensitive to the feelings of the citizens and the overall sorry state of affairs in the nation.
“It is indeed worrisome that President Tinubu could remain silent as Nigerians are on the streets demanding good governance, protection, security and welfare, which are the primary purposes of government.
“The world is watching in horror as operatives of APC-controlled security agencies assault, shoot and kill unarmed protesters, with thugs allegedly mobilized by the APC also unleashing violence on innocent Nigerians.
“Our Party calls on President Tinubu to end his silence, immediately address the nation and reassure the citizens on issues agitating their minds, particularly the reduction in the price of petroleum products and food items.
“Our Party insists that with deft, transparent and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, comparative advantage and refining capacity, petrol should not sell more than N200 per litre in Nigeria, especially with a strategic investment in gas production.
“President Tinubu should also urgently commence the process of recovering the over N50 trillion reportedly stolen by APC leaders, reduce tariffs on essential goods, cut the cost of governance, review all luxury items in his government and channel funds recovered to programmes that have a direct bearing on the wellbeing of Nigerians.
“Furthermore, while calling for a thorough investigation into the reported killing of unarmed Nigerians by certain unscrupulous security operatives, the PDP urges the security agencies to ensure a high level of professionalism in their duty of providing security and protection to the citizens.”
The statement comes as protests continue to rock the nation, with citizens demanding good governance, protection, security, and welfare. The PDP’s call for action puts pressure on President Tinubu to respond to the growing unrest.
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EndBadGovernance: Protesters block Gov Fubara’s convoy, make demands
Protesters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Saturday blocked Governor Siminilaye Fubara’s motorcade.
According to Channels Television, the protesters insisted that Gov Fubara come down to address them.
This was the situation in the Day 3 protests against hunger in the Niger Delta Region.
Waving green branches and shouting in excitement, the protesters lined up the streets demanding an end to bad governance.
After some moments, the governor’s convoy passed as the demonstrators continued with the rallies.
The protesters in Port Harcourt had regrouped for the third day running for the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations which began on August 1, 2024.
They converged at the Pleasure Park in the city, carried placards, and insisted they would not leave until their demands were met.
Similarly, the Day 3 protest is ongoing in Ojota Lagos, Federal Capital Territory Abuja and other states.
EndBadGovernance: Protesters block Gov Fubara’s convoy, make demands
Journalist, protesters arrested in Abuja
A freelance journalist, Ayoola Babalola, was arrested alongside an unconfirmed number of protesters by security operatives in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Saturday.
The development is coming as protesters seeking an “End to Bad Governance” and economic hardship in Nigeria trooped to the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on the third day of the nationwide protests which began Thursday.
Babalola posted his arrest on WhatsApp status on Saturday afternoon, a few moments after security operatives suspected to be men of the Department of State Services shot at protesters and journalists at the stadium.
According correspondent covering the protest earlier reported how he, alongside other journalists, narrowly escaped gunshots fired by the operatives, with the car belonging to a Premium Times journalist riddled with bullets.
“I’ve been arrested, comrades. I’m being held at Wuye Police Station. We are standing our ground and not releasing our devices,” Babalola, a former Peoples Gazette reporter, posted on his WhatsApp status, noting that he was apprehended alongside six others, including one Samuel Victor.
“They are taking our phones and taking us to the cell now,” he added in a message sent to our correspondent around 2pm.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, when contacted, said she was making efforts to get Babalola and others released.
“I’m only aware of two of them, not seven, and I’m making efforts on their release. I’m looking for the journalist, Ayoola (Babalola),” she told The According.
Protesters have continued to hit the streets in Lagos, Oyo, Abuja and other states as they call for, among others, the reversal of fuel subsidy removal and the skyrocketing price of goods and services in the country.
The ‘End Hunger’ protest has, however, been marred with reported lootings by hoodlums in Kano and other northern regions with the police going after the culprits to recover some items.
The Lagos State Government has urged the protesters to go home noting that their voices have been heard “loud and clear,” according to the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who spoke with Channels TV.
The Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday criticised President Bola Tinubu for not addressing the nation amid the nationwide protests.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the opposition party urged Tinubu to break his silence, address the nation immediately, and reassure citizens of the pressing issues affecting them.
Amnesty Int’l demands immediate release of #EndBadGovernance protester in Jigawa prison
Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Umar Danjani, a #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protester, who was arrested in Jigawa State.
Danjani was reportedly detained by the Nigerian Police Force on Thursday while participating in a protest alongside thousands of Nigerians exercising their constitutional rights.
Following his arrest, Danjani was arraigned in court on Friday, where an order was secured to remand him at Birnin Kudi prison.
Amnesty International made the calls in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, condemning the arrest.
It said, “Subjecting critical voices to intimidation and arbitrary arrests for speaking out is unlawful.”
Confirming the arrest of Danjani, Abiyos Roni alleged he was remanded in prison for two weeks for protesting against bad governance.
The arrest occurred amid a wave of nationwide protests that swept across major cities and the Federal Capital Territory.
The demonstrations, which began on Thursday, saw thousands of Nigerians expressing their dissatisfaction with the country’s worsening economic conditions, soaring inflation, poor governance and insecurity.
However, the protests were marred by incidents of police brutality.
Reports emerged of journalists and media professionals facing arrest, physical assault, harassment, and obstruction while covering the events.
In one instance, Daily Independent photojournalist Jide Oyekunle was unlawfully detained and had his phone confiscated by police officers in Abuja.
TVN noted that at least 12 journalists and media professionals suffered from police brutality or attacks by government-sponsored hoodlums on the first day of the protests.
The nationwide demonstrations, scheduled to last ten days, aim to voice citizens’ grievances against the hardships exacerbated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Amnesty Int’l demands immediate release of #EndBadGovernance protester in Jigawa prison
Your voice has been heard, end protest, PANDEF tells demonstrators
The Pan Niger Delta Forum has commended youths, ex-agitators and other groups in the Niger Delta region for their peaceful disposition during the nationwide protest against bad governance.
The forum however called on the various groups to end the protest, saying their voices have been heard.
The National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Ken Robinson, made the call in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday and sent to newsmen.
Robinson said the call for them to discontinue the protest followed incidents of looting and destruction of lives and properties in some parts of the country.
He expressed dismay that hoodlums and criminal elements may catch in on the situation to hijack the protest and cause a breakdown of law and order in the region.
The statement read, “The leadership of Pan Niger Delta Forum commends the people of the Niger Delta region, especially leaders of ethnic youth organisations, community-based and civil society groups, as well as activists, ex-agitators, and youths in general, for maintaining peace in the Niger Delta region in the face of the nationwide protests.
“In the light of reports of looting, destruction, and loss of lives in some parts of the country, PANDEF urges the protesters in some states of the region to end their protests to prevent criminal elements from hijacking the process and causing disruptions to the relative peace in the region.
“It is important to note that the point has already been made. Your voice has been heard. We call on the government at all levels to take necessary and urgent steps to address the difficulties citizens are facing.”
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Despite court order, police tear-gas #EndBadGovernance protesters at Abuja stadium
Despite a court order restricting protesters in the #EndBadGovernance protest to the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, security agencies on Saturday took measures to disperse them from the court-granted venue of the protest.
Operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the police fired rounds of teargas at the protesters who had gathered at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
The DSS operatives dressed in black with face masks arrived the stadium in several Toyota Sienna vans, and started shooting live rounds at the protesters.
Earlier, heavily armed police officers stationed at the main entrance of the stadium had fired tear gas canisters at the protesters.
This is after the police had used armoured and patrol vehicles to block the entrance of the stadium to stop the protesters from converging there.
READ ALSO:Police detains 320 suspects for vandalizing properties in Kano #EndBadGovernance protest
These actions are coming after the court had directed the protesters to restrict their movement and gathering to the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
The protests, however, continue across the country, with smaller gatherings reported in Lagos, Benin City, and Port Harcourt.
Friday saw similar scenes in Abuja’s Berger roundabout area, where tear gas was also used to disperse protesters.
The demonstrations, though dwindling in numbers, persist in various parts of Nigeria, as citizens continue to demand change.
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Gombe CJ frees 185 prison inmates
The Gombe State Criminal Justice and Inquiry Committee, led by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Halima Mohammed, has released 185 inmates from various custodial centres across the state.
The decision was made as part of an initiative to decongest the prisons and ensure the well-being of inmates.
Following her visit to the Billiri Correctional Centre on Friday, Justice Mohammed expressed satisfaction with the committee’s efforts in ensuring that eligible inmates were freed.
She praised the support and dedication of the committee members in making the exercise successful.
The release included a variety of cases: at the Gombe Correctional Centre, 75 inmates were granted bail, 61 were released unconditionally, and 10 were freed due to good conduct.
In Billiri Correctional Centre, six inmates were released on bail, 26 unconditionally, and seven were released based on their good behaviour while incarcerated.
Justice Mohammed stated the importance of justice and urged all magistrates in the state to carefully evaluate each case before delivering judgments.
Gombe CJ frees 185 prison inmates
