It was relatively calm across the country yesterday despite spirited attempts by organisers of #EndBadGovernance to rally the citizens for another round of protests over the current cost of living.
The organisers had launched a campaign on social media for what they termed a million-man march to round off the protests which commenced on August 1.
Kano, Kaduna and Katsina states, which had been the flash points of the protests in the first few days of the action, were quiet yesterday contrary to the expectations of the protest organisers.
Abuja, the Federal Capital, was equally quiet save a few placard carrying protesters who gathered at the Eagle Square shouting “End hunger” and “Reverse fuel subsidy removal,” among others.
Such was the calmness in Katsina yesterday that the state government felt confident to relax the 7:pm to 7 am curfew it had imposed last week on account of the violence triggered by the protests.
In neighbouring Kaduna State, the government warned that the prohibition of ‘unverified processions’ remained in force, while some residents of Kano gathered at Isyaku Rabiu mosque, Goron Dutse in Dala Local Government Area to pray over the current situation in the country.
Lagos and Port Harcourt were also peaceful with residents going about their businesses.
Policemen and other security agents were deployed in many cities and towns to forestall any trouble.
“We have no issue with anybody as the people are going about their activities lawfully,” a security source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
Residents of Zaria, Kaduna State also went about their normal businesses.
Commercial activities, which were disrupted in the Kano metropolis during the first days of the protests, are already picking up in places like Sabon Gari, Singer Market, Kantin Gwari, and Ahmadu Bello Way.
A resident of Chiranchi area in Gwale LGA of Kano State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Yakubu, said he had warned members of his family and those close to him to ignore any call for fresh protests.
He said previous protests only resulted in hunger and destruction of public buildings.
Mr Royal James, a trader on Enugu Road, urged the protest organisers to engage in dialogue with the government to resolve the crisis.
He described dialogue as a more effective means of addressing grievances than protests.
The resort to prayers yesterday in Kano by some of the residents followed a security advisory by the police that some people were waiting in the wings to cause fresh trouble.
One of the brains behind the prayers, Mubarak Ibrahim Lawan, said: “Kano Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba, and DSS director in the state, Alhassan Muhammad, have alerted us that some evil forces in the country have prepared to send some miscreants to penetrate the law-abiding worshippers and use the gathering to their advantage.
“It is suspected that they would lead some youths into looting, shoplifting and freebooting once again as it happened on 1st August, the day the national protest began. Hence we cancelled the massive gathering to avert the possible chaotic mayhem in the state.
“We asked the general public to remain in their respective quarters’ mosques and recite as much Qur’an and pray there as scheduled. The prayer goal could be achieved wherever we are as Allah hears us wherever we are!”
Katsina relaxes curfew
Secretary to the Katsina State Government Abdullahi Garba Faskari said yesterday that restricted movement in the state would now run from 10pm to 5am as against 7 pm to 7 am.
He said Acting Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe was satisfied with reports of improvement in the security situation throughout the state and had therefore ordered the review of the curfew with immediate effect.
He further stated that the Acting Governor also appreciated the general conduct of the security personnel and the people’s cooperation with the government in restoring peace.
He said ”people should remain law abiding as they continue with their daily routines ‘
Kaduna Govt: We’ll deal with criminals pretending to be protesters
Internal Security and Home Affairs Commissioner Samuel Aruwan in a statement in Kaduna reminded residents that the prohibition of unverified processions in the state was still in force.
His words: “The Kaduna State Security Council, under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, has reviewed the present security situation arising from the existing 6 pm to 8 am curfew, and other issues pertaining to public safety.
“Based on this review, the Security Council hereby announces that criminal elements disguising as protesters, with the intent to generate unrest in the state, will not be spared.
“The Kaduna State Security Council recognises the fundamental rights of citizens to freedom of expression, lawful assembly and other constitutional rights enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“Nevertheless, the security forces cannot permit a situation wherein criminals masquerade as protesters to loot and vandalize public and private properties and unleash terror on innocent citizens, as experienced on the 1st and 5th of August 2024.
“Processions not verified and cleared by security agencies therefore remain prohibited in light of the public security considerations highlighted.
“The ugly events of 1st and 5th August 2024 are clear indicators that criminals are pursuing an agenda to plunge the state into chaos, and are ready to camouflage these designs with otherwise genuine protests.
“Available intelligence from the reviewed period also shows the grim focus of these forces in herding children and impressionable individuals into their dark schemes.
“The consequences of these plans, if allowed to flourish, are better imagined.
“The Kaduna State Government and security forces will not stand by and allow an anti-state agenda to run unchecked. It bears reiterating that criminals masquerading as protesters will not be permitted to wreak havoc.
“Finally, citizens are enjoined to continue to observe the 6 pm to 8 am curfew and report any incendiary activity to the Security Operations Room on 09034000060; 08170189999.”
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Rivers Police patrol streets in show of force
Policemen in Rivers State patrolled the streets of the state capital, Port Harcourt, in a show of force.
The State Police Command had warned late Friday that on no account should any protest take place outside of Isaac Boro Park and The Pleasure, both on Aba Road, which had been approved for that purpose.
Spokesperson for the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said anyone violating the order would face the consequences.
“We are aware that some miscreants, who were previously prevented from engaging in looting and other criminal activities during the earlier days of the protest, have resolved to use this final day to harass innocent citizens, unleash mayhem, loot and extort unsuspecting residents of the state.
“The Commissioner of Police has further instructed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Team Commanders to implement robust patrol strategies and maintain close monitoring across their respective areas of responsibility.
“Their mandate is to apprehend and prosecute any individuals or groups found to be engaging in unlawful activities or causing disturbances.”
Youths present charter of demands to Plateau govt
A coalition of youths in Plateau State yesterday presented its charter of demands to Governor Caleb Mutfwang in Jos for onward transmission to President Bola Tinubu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Plateau residents, largely youths, matched on major streets of Jos as part of the ongoing nationwide protests.
The protests were later hijacked by some hoodlums who began to loot and destroy public and private property.
The situation forced the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew on Jos-Bukuru metropolis.
Representative of the coalition, Mr Sam Ode, said the demands required the input of both the state government and the Federal Government.
”For the state government, we demand an immediate cut in the cost of governance. We also demand explanation on how the various palliatives and funding from the federal government are being expended.
”We also call on the state government to implement the minimum wage recently signed into law by the President, and reduce the school of fees of tertiary institutions.
”For the federal government, we call on the President to end corruption, reverse the pump price of fuel to N300 and also reverse the hike in electricity tariff,” Ode said.
He also urged the Federal Government to cut cost of governance, re-open all national borders and embark on judicial reforms.
”I want our leaders to know that these demands are the will of the people toward a pathway for sustainable development. We are not rebelling against the government” he said.
Mutfwang thanked the protesters for being peaceful throughout the protests and promised to transmit their demands to the President.
The governor promised to enable active participation of youths in his government, adding that the government would be open to legitimate criticism.
He said that he would be transparent and accountable in distributing the palliatives from the Federal Government to Plateau people.
He said: “We are doing a lot to boost agriculture, health care services, tourism, education, public transportation, sports and ease of doing business to improve the local economy.
“In some areas, we will need the support of the private sector to end poverty and hunger, and actualise the Plateau of our dreams.
”I will transmit your demands to the President by next week. But all I ask of you is to be patient and support us to succeed.
“We will continue to provide quality leadership to the people, and I thank you for conducting yourselves peacefully throughout the protests.”
Police arrest AAC governorship candidate, others in Ondo
The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Mr. Ajayi Wizeman, was among nine protesters arrested yesterday by security operatives in Ondo State.
The protesters who had gathered at the PHCN Roundabout, Akure had rejected police advice to relocate to the Arcade, which was the approved venue for their action.
Human rights lawyer, Tope Temokun, who was among the protesters, claimed there was no evidence of violence to warrant the arrest of the protesters.
Spokesman to the Ondo Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, did not respond to our phone calls.
Senator Ani to protesters: accept dialogue with govt
Reviewing the tension sparked by the protest, the senator representing Ebonyi South, Anthony Ani, appealed to the youths to end the protest and allow the government to address their grievances.
Ani told reporters in Abuja that the President has good intentions for Nigeria, and was confident that the present situation would ease off in due course.
“This government is very sensitive, working day and night to see that all the issues raised are addressed.
“Of course, they have been doing a lot, but you see, there are saboteurs in the country.
“The ordinary people could sabotage the situation. But for government, they are doing their best,” he said.
“I have never seen any government that is out there to do things that will harm the people or come up with policies that will be dangerous or that will hurt the masses.
“I have never seen such government. This government has a lot of good plans for the citizenry.
“It is left for everybody’s hand to be on deck to see that we actualise what will be good for all of us.
“We have huge human resources in this country. We have well educated people who understand the problems of this country and the solution to the problems.
“But the problem we are having is acts of sabotage by people in the midst of people with good intentions.
“They are sabotaging the efforts that the government and good spirited individuals are making to ensure that this country is better.”
The Nation
