Protests took place in Abuja and Kano yesterday in continuation of the nationwide resistance to hardship across the country.
A group of protesters took to the streets of Kano, defying the curfew imposed by the state government.
The protesters, brandishing placards, gathered in Mandawari, Kofar Kwaru and parts of the Nasarawa area, chanting, “We would rather be killed by a bullet than killed by hunger.”
The protest, which began peacefully, had a turn in Sani Mainage, where some set tyres on fire and blocked streets, leading to a standoff with the police who attempted to disperse them by discharging tear gas and firing warning shots into the air.
Reports said at least eight people, including women and children were shot. Reports said trouble started when security operatives attempted to disperse some youths who defied the curfew.
A group of protesters were also seen waving the Russian flag, calling for intervention from Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying their grievances were not being addressed by President Bola Tinubu.
Several people were feared killed while others were injured when the police command clashed with them.
The state government had imposed a 24 hour curfew. Some protesters came out around Rijiyar Lemo, Kurna to Bachirawa areas in Fagge Local Government, Kofar Nassarawa in Kano municipal and Unguwa Uku area of Tarauni local government.
Musa Salisu, a resident of Rijiyar Lemo, said at least eight people were killed in the clash.
The affected areas include Rijiyar Lemo, Kurna to Bachirawa in Fagge local government area, Kofar Nasarawa in Kano Municipal local government area, and Unguwa Uku in Tarauni local government.
According to eyewitness accounts, the fracas started when a group of youths defied the state-imposed curfew and took to the streets to continue the protest on the third day.
Abdulkadir Musa, another resident of Rijiyar Lemo, said: “At least eight people were shot in our area, including females and children. An elderly woman and three others died, while many more have sustained serious injuries. People defied the curfew and came out protesting. Security operatives then tried to disperse them and had to shoot to clear the area.”
Another resident who chose to remain anonymous, said hoodlums attempted to loot shops, including a Rufaida Yoghurt outlet.
Protesters also gathered along Zaria Road in Unguwa Uku but were dispersed by security operatives.
The police command was yet to comment on the rumoured deaths in the metropolis, leaving room for speculations to run wild, especially on social media platforms.
Efforts to reach the spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, proved abortive as his phone remained unreachable at press time.
In Abuja, DSS operatives and police shot rounds of live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters and journalists covering the ongoing protests in Abuja, according to Premium Times.
The DSS arrived in several Toyota Sienna vans, and started shooting live rounds at the peaceful demonstrators at the MKO Abiola Stadium.
This was shortly after the heavily armed police officers stationed at the main entrance of the stadium fired tear gas at the protesters. Several protesters were harassed and arrested.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, FCT, Ishyaku Shuaibu, came to address journalists at the stadium.
In a related development, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has urged Nigerians on the streets to suspend the nationwide protests, saying top officials of the government were discussing the issues affecting the country.
The Speaker said this in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the police and Amnesty International have differed on the number of people who died in the first two days of the nationwide protest across the country.
The police said seven persons were recorded dead either through the bomb explosion in Borno State or violent attacks in different parts of the country.
However, Amnesty International said 13 persons lost their lives in the first two days of the protest.
The police also said they arrested 681 people who committed various criminal offenses such as armed robbery, arson, mischief, and destruction of both public and private property.
Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said: “In Borno State, four individuals lost their lives and 34 were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd of protesters and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
Yobe State command says it apprehended 108 suspects for various crimes, including those who defied the imposed curfew in the affected areas.
The commissioner of Police Garba Ahmed, sterted that, the Efforts are ongoing to recover stolen properties, with discreet investigations underway.
A Statement singed by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, said the nationwide protect resulting in looting, property destruction, and unrest.
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