These incidents highlight the escalating tension and violence as citizens express their dissatisfaction with the government.
In Abuja, a handful of protesters were teargassed by police at Eagles Square despite the approval for the protest to take place at Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
According to The Nation, police attempted to disperse the protesters by firing tear gas canisters into the air.
Despite this, the determined protesters continued to march, singing and waving the national flag.
Chaotic scenes in Lagos
Meanwhile, a chaotic scene unfolded in Lagos at Oke Koto roundabout near Agege Pen Cinema underbridge and Iyana Ipaja.
A violent altercation among a group of miscreants erupted over a cash gift, sending shockwaves through the area.
The dispute, which lasted for over ten minutes, was reportedly sparked by the uneven distribution of money handed to the group.
In Kano, protesters attempting to light bonfires outside the governor’s office were met with tear gas from police, forcing many to retreat.
Police shoot at protesters in Borno
Similarly, in Borno, a viral video seen by Pulse showed police shooting at peaceful protesters, adding to the nationwide tension.
These incidents highlight the escalating tension and violence as citizens express their dissatisfaction with the government.
However, the determined spirit of the protesters remains unshaken as they continue to press for change despite the heavy-handed response from security forces.
Tragedy in Niger
In the Northern state of Niger, the news is a bit more devastating, as reports show that protesters have been shot dead. DailyTrust, reported that at least six people were allegedly murdered, and several injured, during the ongoing protest in Suleja, Niger State.
The deceased were alleged to have been murdered during a scuffle between them and security forces who were attempting to remove the group of protesters who had set up a roadblock on a part of the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.
Involvement of thugs
The violence is hardly limited between the police and protesters as a thugs too have initiated some of the violence. A report by the Punch, showed that thugs attacked a protester in the South-Wester region of Ondo.
According to an eyewitness who identified himself as Paul, the man stopped his Toyota automobile on the roadside and placed placards in the front and rear before being brutally beaten and flogged by some local thugs.
“The man was sitting in his car, he didn’t move about, he parked the car by the roadside, he placed placards on his Toyota car and sat on the car playing music,” Paul stated.
“Suddenly, some boys appeared and asked him the reason for being in the place with placards. I think he didn’t respond to their satisfaction, this led to an argument. As the argument was ongoing, the boys brought out canes and started flogging him. He quickly rushed into his car and moved away immediately.”
According to Arisenews, thugs also came to disrupt the protests in the South South region of Bayelsa. Some injuries were recorded as protesters continued to push forward regardless.
The same issue has been observed in the Northern state of Kaduna, as the police have arrested some of these hoodlums.
Mood of protests so far
In just the first day of the protest, economic activities have halted significantly. Reports indicate that banks, schools and numerous establishments have closed offices. Some reports also indicate a hike in transport prices, and the closure of numerous markets.
Some parts of the country are drenched in an unusual silence, while everywhere else is blaring with the echoes of protester’s chants.
As it was before the start of the protests, Nigerians are still seemingly conflicted. Unlike the #endsars protest that engendered the same feelings amongst the country’s youth, people, this time, regardless of demographic are still conflicted on whether to join the protest or not.
However, the protests has garnered enough bearing to put the entire nation on standstill, as footages and reports highlight that a substantial number of Nigerians have come out to exercise their rights.
