Protests: Soldiers take over Suleja

As the #Endbadgovernance protest continues in Nigeria, clashes were reported between soldiers and protesters on the Abuja-Kaduna road. Soldiers have also taken control of Suleja town to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

Recall that the protest against bad governance in Nigeria started August 1 and led to deaths of some protesters in Abuja and other parts of the country. 

Our correspondent learned that during the clash along the highway, one person was suspected to have been killed, and another was reportedly set on fire. 

The identities of the casualties and the circumstances of their deaths could not be confirmed at the time of reporting.

In addition to the suspected fatalities, several individuals believed to be protesters sustained injuries. The clash disrupted vehicular movement on the busy highway, but soldiers eventually dispersed the protesters to restore traffic flow between Kaduna and Abuja.

Tension rose in Suleja town early Monday morning as some youths planned a new protest. Relatives of those killed last Thursday, along with other youths, intended to protest against the deaths of their loved ones. Intelligence reports prompted a significant security presence, with armed soldiers and police deployed to protect the community and maintain order.

Last Thursday, a confrontation between protesters and police resulted in deaths as protesters attempted to advance towards the "A" Division of the Police, following damage to the Area Commander’s official vehicle. While the state Police Command initially denied knowledge of any deaths, they confirmed the burning and looting of the Tafa Local Government Secretariat on the Kaduna-Abuja road, near Suleja.

Public Relations Officer Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the heightened security presence in Suleja.

According to him, “some youths tried to assemble in the town for protest but the police succeeded in dispersing them immediately”