Yet to be confirmed reports from Kano State today indicated that not less than 15 protesters including children were killed when men of the Nigeria Police Force allegedly shot into the crowd of protesters at a very low level on the Day 3 of the EndBadGovernance protest in the country.
Nigeria Police Force is yet to issue statement over the incident as Videos recorded by eyewitnesses showed some policemen lying down to shoot at a direction believed the protesters gathered.
Some residents said 15 people were allegedly killed while 47 others got serious injuries on Saturday at Kurna area of Kano state.
One of the videos posted online by the residents showed the crowd of protesters singing and moving towards anti-riot police officers who were seen moving backward until a police armored vehicle started firing at the crowd and thereafter, alot of policemen were seen in the video chasing and beaten the protesters with objects that looked like sticks and other harmful weapons.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu will address the nation in a broadcast on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 7:00am, according to the Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.
“Television, radio, and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to plug into the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for the broadcast.
“The broadcast will be repeated on the network services of the NTA and the FRCN at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the same day”, Ajuri Ngelale said.
In a swift reaction, former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar condemned the act of policemen using live bullets to shoot at protesters in Kano State and Abuja.
Atiku who was the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the last general elections in Nigeria, said and in quote thus: “I vehemently condemn the heinous act of using live ammunition on citizens peacefully protesting against bad governance, as witnessed today in Kano and Abuja. This is utterly intolerable and reminiscent of the dark days of military dictatorship.
It is crucial to remind the government and security agencies of their paramount duty to ensure a safe and secure environment where citizens can exercise their right to protest without fear.
When security forces open fire on innocent protesters, they do nothing but exacerbate tensions, transforming peaceful demonstrations into chaos. I refuse to believe that inciting violence is the intention of our authorities.
I urge the international community, including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, to closely monitor the situation in Nigeria and hold its leadership and security apparatus accountable.
I reaffirm my counsel to protesters to steadfastly exercise their right to peaceful protest and reject any form of violence.
Those engaging in looting and the destruction of public and private property must be isolated and prosecuted according to the law. By indulging in such acts, they undermine the legitimate protests and play into the hands of those who oppose their right to protest.
President Tinubu must demonstrate true leadership by immediately addressing and implementing the demands of the Nigerian people. -AA”
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