No fewer than a dozen persons were killed, and the economy in disarray as markets, banks, and businesses shut on the first day of hunger protests in Nigeria.
This comes as the Police confirmed that several government and private properties were severely damaged after rioters went on a rampage in at least ten states in Nigeria.
DAILY POST reports that on Thursday, protesters hit the streets of major cities nationwide against ravaging hunger, and hardship in Nigeria.
The demand by the protesters was #endbadgovernance which had led to worsening economic hardship amid soaring prices of food and commodities.
The National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the core and food inflation stood at 34.19 percent and 40.87 percent, respectively.
The interest rate stood at 26.72 percent, Naira to Dollar exchange rate at N1570 as of Thursday.
Other economic indicators are on the downside. The glaring economic hardship had forced the citizens to demand a turnaround through protest.
However, the protest turned bloody as hoodlums hijacked the riot in many cities, leading to the death of at least ten persons and the destruction of several properties.
Those killed included six at Suleja in Niger State; four in Maiduguri, Borno State; three in Kaduna State; and one in Kebbi State.
Rioters let loose in Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Borno, Niger, Yobe, Jigawa, Gombe and Bauchi states.
In Abuja, Niger, Kano, protesters and security operatives were involved in blood clashes.
The development led to Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to declare a red alert and the declaring of curfew in Kano, Yobe, Borno and Katsina states.
“In places like FCT, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, among others, we recorded incidents of unprovoked attacks on security personnel, where one policeman has been reported murdered and others seriously injured”, the IGP said while addressing the media on Thursday.
The Police boss added an explosion occurred in Borno amid the crowd of protesters which led to the death of four and 34 injured.
“Today (Thursday) in Borno State, we recorded one incident of an explosion which occurred in the crowd of protesters killing 4 instantly and severely injuring 34 others, many of whom are presently on the anger list”.
Outside, the lives lost to the protests, the Police confirmed that both private and public properties were looted.
Nigeria’s Economy shut down
DAILY POST reports markets, banks, and public offices in Abuja, Niger, Kano, and Kaduna were shut. This crippled economy of Nigeria.
Major sectors of the Nigerian economy were either completely or substantially shut – financial services, maritime, trade and commerce, transportation, entertainment, Information and Technology, and hospitality.
CPPE, Analysts appeal for protest suspension
Speaking on the impact of the day 1 protest, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, CPPE, appealed for the suspension of the protest.
CPPE made the appeal in a statement on Thursday by its Director, Muda Yusuf.
He said the economies of many states were completely grounded, leading to huge economic losses.
He stressed that major sectors driving the Nigerian economy were either completely or substantially shut – financial services, maritime, trade and commerce, transportation, entertainment, ICT, and hospitality.
“The outcomes of Day-one of the protests are very troubling. The protests are already spinning out of control and managing it is becoming very challenging.
“The economies of many states were completely grounded leading to huge economic losses. The risks to life and properties have become significantly elevated.
“The CPPE strongly appeals to the organizers to announce the immediate suspension of the protests to avoid a complete breakdown of law and order which could result in severe negative consequences,” he stated.
On his part, Financial Analyst and the Chief Executive Officer of SD & D Capital Management, Gbolade Idakolo in an interview with DAILY POST on Friday also appealed to the protesters to halt the action.
According to him, the protest already has a monumental negative impact on Nigeria’s fragile economy.
“The current security situation in this country is very fragile and calling for a Nationwide protest now is a threat to National security.
“The good intentions and the right to protest have been used by people with ulterior motives to unleash mayhem and cause serious destruction of lives and properties.
“Generally, the economic situation in the country is undesirable and in any civil society protest or rally would have been a veritable tool to display one’s anger and discontent with the handling of the economy as regards the welfare of the people.
“However, Nigeria does not share a history of peaceful protest and this present one will not be different.
“We are concerned about our economy and with the effect of this protest, the harm inflicted on the economy will be monumental.
“The properties- both government and private looted, destroyed during the EndSARS protest in 2020 have not been fully recovered by those affected.
“I want to plead with the organizers of this nationwide protest to put national interest first before selfish or political motives, because if Nigeria is destroyed, we do not have another country to call our own,” he told DAILY POST.
Protests: CPPE appeals for suspension as deadly riots cripple Nigeria’s economy
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