Hardship protests: Police reveals shocking details about number of deaths, damages

• The Nigerian Police Force has reported that seven people have died during the nationwide protest
• Authorities have arrested 681 individuals involved in criminal activities related to the protests, including looting, armed robbery, and vandalism
• Among others, in Borno State, a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP members led to four deaths and 34 injuries

FCT, Abuja - The Force headquarters released details of damages incurred in about eight states since the commencement of the hardship nationwide protest.

The details by the NPF were in contrary with the Amnesty International’s claim that 13 protesters were killed by security agencies during the protests.

Nigerian police speak on causalities incurred during hardship protest Photo credit: @Currenttimes/@Naija_PR
Source: UGC

NPF: Only 7 people died during hardship protest

The police revealed that only seven people have died, Vanguard reported.

The police added that the fatalities primarily resulted from bombings and car accidents.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, issued a statement on Saturday, August 3, acknowledging the violence that has emerged from the protest.

The police said:

In Borno State, a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP members resulted in four deaths and thirty-four injuries when they detonated an IED among protesters. "Additionally, a Honda Prelude struck protesters, killing two civilians; the driver has fled but the vehicle is in police custody. "In Yauri, Kebbi State, a vigilante shot and killed a looter during an attempted theft. The total fatalities from the protests are seven, with other incidents including armed robbery, arson, and looting.

He advised law-abiding participants to withdraw from the demonstrations to avoid further escalation, Thisday reported.

681 individuals involved in criminal activities

In addition to the deaths, a total of 681 individuals involved in criminal activities—such as looting, attacking government infrastructure, and armed robbery—have been apprehended.

The statement reads:

“In an effort to combat the trend of crimes and criminality, the police have arrested a total of six hundred and eighty-one (681) individuals who committed various criminal offenses this includes armed robbery, arson, vandalism, and damage to both public and private properties."Authorities have seized dangerous weapons from the alleged protesters, including two AK-47 rifles and various live ammunition."Moreover, stolen goods such as furniture, electronics, phones, and other shop items, along with valuable infrastructure worth billions of naira, were recovered from those detained."

Other details arrests made

Day 1

FCT - 38

GOMBE - 17

JIGAWA - 75

KADUNA - 24

KANO - 326

KATSINA - 7

NASARAWA - 50

SOKOTO - 81

TOTAL = 618

Day 2

FCT - 6

GOMBE - 0

JIGAWA - 0

KADUNA - 0

KANO - 57

KATSINA - 0

NASARAWA - 0

SOKOTO - 0

TOTAL = 63

Hardship: Sultan, CAN President call for end of protest

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC), led by Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’adu Abubakar III, along with Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has urgently called for an end to the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests across the nation.

This appeal was made on Friday in a joint statement signed by NIREC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua.

Source: Legit.ng