Six protesters have reportedly been shot dead, and many others have sustained injuries in the ongoing hardship protest in Suleja, Niger State.
According to Plateau News, the victims were killed during a clash with security operatives who were attempting to dislodge protesters from a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway, where they had mounted a barricade, causing a traffic standstill for several hours.
The situation escalated with the arrival of a reinforcement team sent to restore order. Yahaya Nda Isah, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road in Suleja, was struck by a stray bullet while riding his bike near the Suleja Police ‘A’ division, where the protesters had gathered.
Isah’s nephew reported that his uncle was not involved in the protest but was merely passing by when he was fatally hit in the chest.
Other victims included Mallam Abu and three others who were shot at the same location, with two more people shot at the Suleja Junction on the Abuja-Kaduna road.
SP Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, confirmed the incidents, noting that some hoodlums had also attempted to set the Tafa Local Government Area (LGA) ablaze, but were dispersed by police and military forces. He added that the road and toll gate were subsequently cleared of the blockades.
This tragic incident highlights the severe tensions and dangers associated with the ongoing protests, as well as the heavy-handed response by security forces, raising concerns about the safety of civilians and the potential for further violence.