Protesters break lose in Asokoro, defy gunshots, teargas
A large number of protesters are currently marching on a major road in Kugbo, Asokoro in Abuja Municipal Council Area (AMAC). The protesters who are in hundreds have refused to retreat despite gunshots and teargas fired by security operatives. A Federal High Court in Abuja had restricted protesters to Moshood Abiola Stadium. But while some […]
protest
A large number of protesters are currently marching on a major road in Kugbo, Asokoro in Abuja Municipal Council Area (AMAC).
The protesters who are in hundreds have refused to retreat despite gunshots and teargas fired by security operatives.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had restricted protesters to Moshood Abiola Stadium. But while some of them proceeded to the stadium, others assembled at various spots across the nation’s capital.
Security operatives have been having a tough time controlling the crowd of young persons who are insisting that they would remain on the streets until their demands on an improved economy are met.
Asokoro, where the protesters are, houses Nigeria’s seat of power, government establishments, military barracks as well as head office of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Earlier, a Daily Trust correspondent had run into a mob who refused to take orders from policemen.
Security agents faced a herculean task while trying to control the rampaging protesters who eventually took control of the ever busy Abuja-Keffi highway.
The protesters, majority of whom were Okada riders, stormed the Nyanya axis of the road chanting ‘ba muayi’ which in Hausa , means, ‘We are no longer interested’.
Wielding dangerous weapons, they barricaded the road at various sections setting bonfire, while threatening to burn any vehicle trying to convey passengers out of the Nyanya park.
Security agents comprising of the Police, Civil Defence and soldiers who tried to prevent them from crossing to the Karu bridge section of the highway, got overwhelmed.
The situation also left hundreds of passengers stranded at the Nyanya park as both commercial and private vehicles were disallowed from conveying passengers while the highway was fully occupied by the protesters.
More trucks of soldiers had arrived the scene but the situation was not brought under control.
The protesters later forced their way to Karu bridge from where they marched towards Kugbo.