*Pix above: Police patrol team
At least six people have been killed while some sustained injuries in the ongoing hunger protest in Suleja, Niger State, even as 16 perished in bomb attack in Borno.
The Niger victims were said to have been killed while security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted barricade on a section of Abuja-Kaduna highway.
Some policemen who were around the barricade could not control the youths who outnumbered them.
However, a reinforcement team was sent to the scene where pandemonium ensued.
Among those killed were said to be 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 newsmen 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 Mallam Abu also died on the spot.
One of the residents who did not want his name mentioned told newsmen that three other people were shot at the same scene while two 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 dear life.
“We heard people shouting and gunshots were heard for about 20 minutes at Emir Roundabout. The situation in Suleja was ugly”, Bala Abdullahi, another resident said.
Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said some hoodlums also attempted to set the Tafa LGA office 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.
…As 16 perish in bomb attack in Borno with state government imposing 24-hour curfew
Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has announced an immediate 24-hour curfew across the state.
This is in response to the tragic detonation of an improvised explosive device in Kawori Market, Konduga area of Borno State on Wednesday night.
The explosion suspected to be carried out by a Boko Haram suicide bomber resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals and critical injuries to several others.
Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, disclosed this in a Thursday press release.
Titled, “Imposition of Curfew,”, the statement noted that the bomb explosion prompted Governor Babagana Zulum, to consult with top security officials before implementing this measure.
According to the statement, the curfew aims to restore law and order and ensure public safety.
It reads, “In view of the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security and law enforcement agencies toward the preservation of law and order in the state, you are all aware of the incident that took place at Kawori which was the detonation of an improvised explosive devices ordinance device which led to the death of 16 persons while several others were critically injured and on admission across various Government hospitals in the state.
“In line with our constitutional mandate towards the restoration of law and order His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum, in consultation with heads of security in the state, finds it expedient to declare 24-hr curfew in the state with immediate effect./(agency)/###
