By Samuel Ogunsona
Tragedy strikes on day one of the planned Nationwide hunger demonstration as no fewer than than 17 persons were feared killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna and Jigawa states while business owners count losses.
The 10-days Nationwide protest started simultaneously in many part of the country on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
The demonstration which began peaceful took a violent turn in some cities in the Northern part of the country, led to violent confrontations between the police and the protesters while many business and some other government properties were affected.
In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, one person was reportedly shot dead when the protest took a violence, two killed in Jigawa, six others were reportedly gunned down by security forces in Niger, while four died in Borno and three in Kaduna.
Several properties were destroyed in Kano state during the protest including the newly built Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Industrial Park.
Looters also broke into a warehouse where people were seen carrying away 25-litre cartons of vegetable cooking oil and mattresses.
Though, some of the Northern states has immediate imposed 24-hours curfew to prevent further violence
The protesters are expected to continue today with demonstrators vowing not to back off on their demands from Federal Government.
However, the situation in Northern Nigeria remains tense and there are fears of further violence.
