The ongoing nationwide protest has turned deadly at Suleja, Niger State as four people were reportedly shot dead with several others injured.
The protest, which took place on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, saw roads barricaded by demonstrators, causing significant disruptions and trapping numerous passengers and motorists for hours.
Among the deceased was Yahaya Nda Isah, a local resident. According to witnesses, Isah was not participating in the protest but was simply passing by on his bike when a stray bullet hit him in the chest.
The incident occurred in front of the Suleja Police ‘A’ Division, where many protesters had gathered.
A nephew of the deceased expressed his sorrow, stating, “He was my uncle. He wasn’t even protesting; he was just passing in front of the Police ‘A’ Division when a stray bullet hit him in the chest, and he died on the spot. As I speak with you, I am at his house alongside other mourners. It’s unfortunate.”
Another victim, identified only as Mallam Abu, also lost his life during the chaos. A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that three more people were shot at the same location, with two others wounded at Suleja Junction on the Abuja-Kaduna road. The current condition of these individuals remains uncertain.
The violence and unrest forced local businesses to close. Bala Abdullahi, whose shop is near the Suleja Police ‘A’ Division, described the scene: “We heard people shouting, and gunshots were heard for about 20 minutes at Emir Roundabout. The situation in Suleja is dire.”
Security forces were deployed to manage the situation. SP Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, noted that some hoodlums attempted to set fire to the Tafa Local Government Area but were successfully dispersed by security operatives. The protests, which began peacefully, had escalated significantly, leading to these tragic outcomes.
The Abuja Police Command also confirmed that the protest had been hijacked by hoodlums.
