6 killed in Niger state as protest turns deadly
At least six people have been reportedly killed, and several others injured, during an ongoing protest in Suleja, Niger State.
The victims were said to have been shot while security operatives struggled to dislodge a group of protesters who had mounted a barricade on a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The protest has caused significant disruption, leaving passengers and motorists trapped on the road for hours.
According to reports, the policemen initially present at the scene were unable to control the situation due to the sheer number of protesters.
This led to the deployment of a reinforcement team to the area, where the situation quickly escalated into chaos.
READ ALSO: Travellers stranded as protesters block Abuja-Kaduna highway
Among the deceased is Yahaya Nda Isah, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja. Isah was reportedly hit by a stray bullet while on his bike in front of the Suleja Police ‘A’ division, a location where protesters had assembled.
A nephew of the deceased told Daily Trust that his uncle was on his bike when the bullet fired to disperse the protesters hit him on his chest and he died on the spot.
“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 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”, he said.
Another victim simply identified as Malam Abu also died on the spot.
One of the residents who did not want his name mentioned said 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.
Another resident who said his shop was not far from the Suleja Police “A” division said he had to close to run for his life.
“We heard people shouting and gunshots were heard for about 20 minutes at Emir Roundabout. The situation in Suleja is ugly”, Bala Abdullahi, another resident.
Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said some hoodlums also attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze but they were dispersed by security operatives.
“The miscreants attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze, they were dispersed by the Police and military. Kaduna road and toll gate was cleared”, he said.
Proofreading by Fa’izatu Aliyu Doma, Journalist at Neptune Prime.
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