Four individuals have been reportedly killed by stray bullets during the ongoing “End Bad Governance” protests in Suleja, Niger State.
Several others sustained injuries as security operatives clashed with protesters who had mounted a barricade on a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The deceased were said to have been hit by stray bullets as security personnel struggled to dislodge the protesters. The barricade had caused significant disruption, prompting a response from the authorities.
According to The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the security personnel present were initially unable to control the protesters, who outnumbered them significantly.
In an effort to restore order, a reinforcement team was dispatched to the scene.
However, the situation escalated, resulting in chaos on Hassan Dallatu and Church Roads in the Suleja area.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of pandemonium, with frightened residents fleeing the area to avoid the violence. “It was a terrible sight,” said one resident. “We heard gunshots, and people were running in all directions.”
The protests, which began as a demonstration against hunger and poor governance, have taken a violent turn especially in the Northern parts of the country.
