No fewer than six persons have been shot dead, with many others sustaining varying injuries in the ongoing #EndBadGovernment protest in Suleja, Niger State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the victims were killed while security operatives were trying to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted a barricade on a section of Abuja-Kaduna highway, trapping motorists for several hours.
There was commotion upon the arrival of reinforcement team sent to restore sanity to the area.
According to reports, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja, Yahaya Nda Isah, was hit by a stray bullet while on his bike in front of Suleja Police ‘A’ division, where protesters had assembled.
A nephew of the deceased who spoke with Daily Trust said his uncle wasn’t part of the protest, he was on his bike when the bullet fired to disperse the protesters hit him on his chest, and he died immediately.
He said, “He was my uncle. He was not even protesting. He was passing in front of the Police ‘A’ division where some people were protesting when a stray bullet hit him on his chest and he died. As I speak with you, I am in his house alongside other mourners. It’s unfortunate.”
Another victim of the incident known as Mallam Abu also died on the spot.
One of the residents who did not want his name mentioned told Daily Trust that 3 other people were shot at the same scene while 2 others were shot at the Suleja Junction on Abuja-Kaduna road but could not confirm if other victims were dead.
Spokesman of Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun said some hoodlums also attempted to set Tafa LGA ablaze, but security operatives dispersed them.
He said, “The miscreants attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze, they were dispersed by the Police and military. Kaduna road and toll gate were cleared.”
