At least six people have been reportedly killed while some sustained injuries in the ongoing protest in the Suleja and Tafa local government areas of Niger State.
A Daily Trust report said the victims were killed while security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted barricades on a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
According to the report, one of the people killed is Yahaya Nda Isah, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja, who was hit by a stray bullet.
The bullet reportedly hit Isa on his bike in front of the Suleja Police ‘A’ division, where protesters had assembled.
A nephew of the deceased told the newspaper 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, who was simply identified as Mallam Abu died on the spot.
One of the residents who did not want his name mentioned 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.
The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, 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.
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