On Thursday, the #EndBadGovernance protest saw at least 17 deaths across multiple states including Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa.
The protest, initially peaceful, escalated into violence in several cities, leading to confrontations between police and demonstrators.
In Abuja, a protester was shot along the Kubwa expressway. Similar incidents occurred in Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Borno, and Kaduna, where security forces clashed with protesters. Businesses and markets closed in anticipation of unrest.
In Abuja, protests turned violent at the Eagles Square, prompting police to use teargas and pepper spray. The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, called for calm but the situation worsened after his departure.
In Niger State, six people were killed, and several arrests were made following an attack on the Tafa LGA secretariat. In Borno, suspected Boko Haram militants infiltrated a protest, resulting in four deaths and 34 injuries.
The violence also extended to Kano, where one person was killed, and Governor Abba Yusuf imposed a 24-hour curfew. Similar curfews were implemented in Yobe and Nasarawa states.
Protests in Lagos were marked by large crowds and some clashes, while in the Southeast, including Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi, residents largely stayed indoors, avoiding the protests.
In Delta State, anti-protesters attacked journalists, and in Port Harcourt, protesters expressed anger towards Governor Siminalaye Fubara’s response to their demands. In Calabar, security agents detained journalists and activists.
The protests, which aim to address issues like rising fuel prices and economic hardship, continue despite heavy-handed responses and significant disruptions across the country.
