The long-awaited #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria has kicked off in several cities across the country.<\/p>\n
The protest will hold from August 1st to 10th.<\/p>\n
Business activities were grounded in some parts of the country on Thursday, while roads were also deserted as protesters defy last-minute push by authorities to stop the demonstrations.<\/p>\n
In Abuja, protesters gathered early at the approved Moshood Abiola National Stadium before moving to the Eagle Square.<\/p>\n
In a bid to stop the protesters from advancing to the Eagle Square, the Police fired tear gas to disperse them.<\/p>\n
There were also counter-protesters at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.<\/p>\n
One of the organisers of the protest in the FCT, Comrade Deji Adeyanju insisted that the protesters will not be intimidated by security operatives.<\/p>\n
He told newsmen at the MKO Abiola Stadium that the protesters will be peaceful and desist from acts of violence.<\/p>\n
He however cautioned security operatives to refrain on infringing on the rights of the protesters and should rather provide them adequate security.<\/p>\n
In Lagos, Protesters gathered at Ikeja Underbridge but later marched to the court approved location at Ojota for further rallies.<\/p>\n
The large crowd of protesters at the Gani Fawehinmi park, carried placards with various inscriptions.<\/p>\n
The police was on ground to prevent miscreants from hijacking the protests.<\/p>\n
Protesters also had a short gathering around the Lekki Toll gate to demand good governanance in the country.<\/p>\n
You need to know that the toll gate in Lekki is not part of the two designated locations directed by the court in Lagos.<\/p>\n
Some of the protesters told newsmen that they decided to demonstrate at the toll gate because of the distance of their homes to the confined locations in the state.<\/p>\n
They insisted that it was their right to protest as Nigerians and won’t allow a court order to invalidate their rights.<\/p>\n
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#EndBadGovernance protest in Kano turns violent<\/p>\n
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It was a different story in Kano as the protest turned violent in the state.<\/p>\n
Most of the busy roads in the city were empty with less vehicular movement and there were no tricycles for commercial operations.<\/p>\n
Protesters looted the yet-to-be-commissioned Nigeria Communication Commission Industrial Park while a part of the premises was set on fire.<\/p>\n
There were also reports of Kano protesters going on a looting spree to steal furniture, mattresses, bags of rice, and other reported items emerged.<\/p>\n
Thirteen persons have been arrested in connection to various cases of vandalism in the state while a 24 hour curfew has been declared.<\/p>\n
While the hunger protests were ongoing, other set of anti-protest demonstrator surfaced around the Tarauni local government area of the state, carrying placards with various inscriptions in support of the government.<\/p>\n
Bomb blast in Borno kills 16 persons<\/p>\n
In Borno, there is also a 24-hour curfew in all 27 Local Government Areas of the State.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the police said the curfew was declared following an explosion in Kawori area of the state that led to the death of 16 persons.<\/p>\n
The statement added that the police had held consultations with the State Governor Babagana Zulum and other critical stakeholders before arriving at the decision.<\/p>\n
In Anambra state, economic activities and government operations were grounded as many businesses were completely shut down.<\/p>\n
There was no single protester in sight.<\/p>\n
There were only a few police personnel who were seen at strategic places monitoring the development.<\/p>\n
Some residents said the successful grounding of activities in the state through sit-at-home, was enough protest.<\/p>\n
There was an appreciable turnout of protesters in Asaba the capital city of delta state.<\/p>\n
Commercial centres, including banks and markets, were closed during the peaceful protests which began about 11:00 am.<\/p>\n
The Protesters with placards bearing inscriptions such as #EndBadGovernment and \u201cHardship Everywhere\u201d gathered at the popular Interbus Roundabout amid a heavy presence of security agencies.<\/p>\n
They matched through the streets of Nnebisi and anwai Roads but they were stopped from gaining access to government house by security men.<\/p>\n
Not satisfied with the development, they returned to their base at interbus roundabout where they were addressed by the police.<\/p>\n
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POLICE IG reacts<\/p>\n
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The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun says the ongoing nationwide protest is a deliberate attempt to create mayhem in the country.<\/p>\n
In a statement released on Thursday, the IGP said the mayhem was targeted on the polity, innocent citizens, markets, stores, private and public properties, as well as critical infrastructure of government.<\/p>\n
According to him, the name given to the movement behind the protest, \u201cTAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT\u201d has far-reaching undemocratic, unconstitutional and illegal connotations.<\/p>\n
He gave the assurance that the police will use all constitutional means in curtailing any violence that might result from the protest.<\/p>\n
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Source: Swifteradio.com<\/p>\n
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