Following the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest, many Nigerians, particularly in the northern region, are left grappling with the physical, financial, and emotional aftermath that will linger for a considerable period.
The demonstrations, which erupted on August 1, persisted even after President Bola Tinubu urged for their halt. The protests faced a harsh crackdown from security forces, resulting in reported incidents of gunfire against protesters across different states in the north.
The surge in inflation, hitting a 28-year peak, and governmental economic decisions leading to the depreciation of the naira against the dollar, fueled the crisis in the cost of living.
Reports indicate that at least 17 individuals lost their lives in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa on the first day of the protest against the nation’s most severe cost-of-living crisis in generations, as well as the corruption and alleged mismanagement hindering the country’s progress.
In Suleja, a significant town in Niger State, six individuals were presumed dead when protesters allegedly tried to storm a police station. Four were reported dead at the scene, with others sustaining gunshot wounds and rushed to Gwagwalada General Hospital. Two of the injured individuals succumbed to their injuries on the way to the hospital.
Accusations have been leveled against the country’s security forces for their use of excessive force during the nationwide protests. While Nigeria Police Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi acknowledged instances of fatalities during the protests, he denied police involvement.
Conversely, the Nigerian Army, represented by spokesman Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, admitted on Wednesday that one of their soldiers fatally shot a teenager, Ismail Muhammad, in Zaria, Kaduna State. This acknowledgment confirmed that security agencies deployed to monitor the #EndBadGovernance protesters resorted to live ammunition.
The military’s admission contradicted Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s statement that security agencies did not use excessive force, including live ammunition, on the protesters.
Amnesty International strongly condemned the lethal actions taken against the protesters, accusing security personnel of causing the death of at least 21 participants during a week of protests against economic hardships.
Renowned Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka criticized the government for employing live ammunition on unarmed protesters, stating that such measures were unjustifiable, especially during peaceful demonstrations.
Apart from the fatalities, the protest also left numerous individuals with harrowing tales of surviving near-death encounters as the nationwide demonstrations dwindled.
A cameraman from African Independent Television, Femi Kuku, narrowly escaped being shot by security forces while covering the protest at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Kuku mentioned that despite being aware that they were journalists, security operatives still fired shots at them.
While evading the attack, Kuku stumbled into an open manhole, resulting in a dislocated left leg.
“My colleagues helped me into the vehicle as I couldn’t walk. We drove off, but they pursued us, firing again before we managed to escape,” Kuku recounted.
Survivors in Gombe
Officials at the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe revealed that eight individuals sought medical attention following the protests, with six still undergoing treatment.
One patient in the Intensive Care Unit had sustained two gunshot wounds and was on life support.
Mohammed Abdulrawuf, an 18-year-old, sobbed as he recounted being shot by security personnel in Gombe, despite not taking part in the protests.
Expressing his desire to serve in the military, Abdulrawuf appealed for assistance to realize his dream after the incident jeopardized his aspirations.
Another patient, 27-year-old commercial motorcyclist Rabiu Ibrahim, displayed visible distress due to injuries sustained, emphasizing his non-involvement in the protests and pleading for urgent medical aid.
The victims are calling on the government to provide financial support to aid their recovery and help them pursue their ambitions.
I found myself in front of my house near Central Primary School when the PMF 99 men approached me and subjected me to physical assault, resulting in multiple fractures, lacerations, and a tendon injury.”
Hassan Haruna, 18, a fish seller, shared his experience of ending up at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.
“I attended the peaceful protest, but as the police fired tear gas near the roundabout, I got injured by a piece of glass which caused excessive bleeding. I lost a significant amount of blood, leaving me very weak,” he said.
Approximately 205 church chairs, musical instruments, and other expensive equipment were stolen by hoodlums who raided a Living Faith Church in Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State on the first day of the nationwide protest against hardship.
According to the church pastor, David Jato, the invaders took everything from the church auditorium, including a digital wall clock, musical instruments, pastor’s chairs, plastic chairs, desktop computer, and even a scoreboard.
While attempting to escape, the police officers targeted Hamza Waziri, a physically challenged individual, who was peacefully protesting in front of the Bauchi State Government House.
Waziri, a wheelchair user, was exercising his constitutional right to protest when the police confronted him.
Mukhtar Gidado, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Bauchi State Governor, confirmed that Governor Bala Mohammed has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure justice prevails.
The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities demanded justice for the assault against Waziri, considering it a violation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act and fundamental human rights.
Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, called on the Federal Government to investigate the killings of protesters in various parts of the country in a communiqué issued after their meeting in Ogun State.
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, vowed to seek justice for Ismail Muhammad, a teenager who lost his life during a protest in Zaria. Sani dispatched a high-powered delegation to the family of the deceased to express condolences and assure them of a thorough investigation.
During the anti-hunger protest in Kano, several public and private establishments were vandalized, including the Nigerian Communications Commission, Kano State High Court, vehicles within the court premises, and the Kano State Printing Press. Barakat Stores, a popular supermarket, reportedly suffered a massive loss of over N5 billion due to vandalism by hoodlums.
In an interview with NewsNow on Wednesday, a representative from a warehouse located near Government House reported that hoodlums had vandalized and looted the warehouse. He mentioned that the looted items included containers of goods imported from China and Turkey, emphasizing the significant financial loss. The General Manager urged the government to provide assistance in light of the situation.
Similarly, the proprietor of a supermarket in Kano expressed his devastation at losing over N30m to the looters. The items stolen from his establishment ranged from computers to drugs, impacting his business significantly. He called for government intervention to address youth unemployment to prevent future occurrences of such incidents.
Several other locations in Gombe city, including a motor company and market, were also vandalized during the unrest. Victims like Papa Ejinma, a trader, recounted losses exceeding N10m and appealed for government support. In Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, there were reports of clashes between protesters and security forces, resulting in casualties and injuries.
The aftermath of the protests also affected individuals like Ekene Ihechuoha, who recounted being attacked and losing goods in the turmoil. In another tragic incident, a mechanic in Maiduguri was allegedly shot by the police, leading to injuries and hospitalization. Family members of the victims called for adequate treatment and compensation from the Federal Government.
Concerns were raised about the government’s response to the protests, with calls for the establishment of emergency centers to aid the injured and support families of the deceased. Despite challenges faced by activists and protesters, organizers maintained their commitment to addressing issues of free speech and human rights violations by the government.
Additional reports by various correspondents contribute to the comprehensive coverage of the incidents during the protests.