How #EndBadGovernance protests affected businesses in N’East states

As the August 1-10 #EndBadGovernance protests finally came to an end some businesses are yet to open following the wanton and brazen destructions caused by hoodlums who hijacked the process across most parts of the North-East, Arewa PUNCH reports.

Gombe, Yobe, Borno, and Bauchi had their fair share of destructions, violence, and looting, while Adamawa and Taraba remained peaceful with counter-protests in support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and his policies.

Just like many regions with operational flight activities, the North-East was at a standstill as those with booked schedules were rescheduled for August 10.

The #EndBadGovernance protest our correspondent reports was hinged on drawing government’s attention to hardship, caused by the removal of fuel subsidy, increase in electricity tariff, cost of fees in public institutions, among others.

In Gombe state, aside from the popular Bima Lodge, a hotel where several pieces of equipment were burgled, the Bureau of Public Service Reform, Blue J motors, and the Gombe Revenue Tribunal office where items were destroyed,  Some business owners notably of the Igbo extraction have also been counting their losses in the aftermath of the protests.

Speaking, Ekene Ihechuoha, who deals in spare parts, told Arewa PUNCH that he lost his goods on Friday, being the second day of the protest to hoodlums.

He said, “I’m at Michika House BCG, Gombe. Many thought I had passed because of the injuries I sustained. They inflicted machet  cut on my head, back, and neck region.”

Asked if the hoodlums carted away his items, Ihechuoha said, “They made away with the spare parts outside my shop. Things like two wind shafts, bearing and they took my phone. I lost over N210,000 without including my mobile phone, which they stole.”

Speaking on if he would like to be compensated, Ihechuoha added, “I wish the government will compensate my loss.”

Similarly, Oba Igwe decried the loss he suffered. Igwe, who operates a workshop in Yalenguruza, told Arewa PUNCH, “I’m a technician who deals in, and repairs of fans and electricity irons. I was stabbed by the hoodlums during the protest. I wish the government would magnanimously give us support.”

Speaking in the same vein, Innocent Nwadunobi, popularly known as InnoTech, said, “I lost several of my goods. I sell computers and printers in Gombe. The hoodlums literally cleared my shop. I was helpless as i watched them loot my shop dry.

“I will want the government to compensate me for the loss i incurred.”

On his part, Papa Ejinma, who operates a provision store in Gombe, also nasty a experience from the hoodlums who attacked him inside his shop under the pretext and guise of protesting to see an end to bad governance and end to hunger.

Papa Ejinma tearfully told Arewa PUNCH that his goods were massively looted on the very day the protests began.

“What I lost is over N10 million because they swept my goods. I really need the government to intervene,” Ejinma added.

In Yobe, the state government lost about seven buses belonging to the state’s mass transit company, which was allegedly set on fire in the Potiskum Local Government Area by the angry protesters.

Mohammed Ahmadu, a trader in Potiskum who spoke via telephone to Arewa PUNCH while decrying the impact of the violent protest, which culminated in the governor Mala Buni imposing curfew on three local government areas of the state.

Ahmadu said, “Remember that the government imposed curfew on Potiskum,  Gashua, and Nguru. We were affected because we had to shut down our businesses earlier than usual. I sell water and drinks, but we were not getting patronage from our customers.

“Don’t forget that we have financial obligations at home, but what can we do when the government imposed a curfew on us, thus, totally crippling our businesses. Yet, we need to feed ourselves and other family members. But we couldn’t do this at all. My brother, we suffered during that period o.

“I don’t want to believe that the protesters caused the havoc. I feel it was done to discredit their activities. We are glad that peace is gradually returning. I hope it lasts. I hope the government will compensate us for the days we recorded poor patronage?”

Like other states, Borno was not spared the wrath of the protesters as the World Food Programme warehouse along Baga Road was infiltrated by masquerading hoodlums who joined the genuine protesters, thus, resulting in the looting of food and non-food items.

Arewa PUNCH reports that the primary health care beside Modu sulumri at Jere LGA, being the MSF and IRC community support centre was attacked by the protesters, even as the MSF staff ran for their dear lives with two vehicles and one ambulance bus, as the protesters carted goods away.

Investigations conducted by our correspondent revealed that 10 residents and two Borno State Traffic management officials were killed around the West-end area while one soldier was killed at Baga Road.

Protesters also razed a police vehicle in Maiduguri, just as an Immigration Officer accidentally shot himself in the leg at the Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri.

In Bauchi, the demonstrators set parts of the local government secretariat on fire, destroyed vehicles, and vandalised the home of a former Deputy Governor, Baba Tela, looting property in the house in the process. The unrest spread through several streets of Azare town in Katagum LGA.

Sylvia Adamu, a resident of Bauchi, lamented the challenges of the protests, saying, “We don’t even have flight operations as nobody knows where the protesters will come from to start looting and vandalising things. We are killing ourselves. Our fragile economy is further ruined.”

On his part, the Deputy Inspector General of Police  supervising the North-East geopolitical region, Bala Ciroma, while declaring a return of the peace in Gombe said, “It is part of my responsibility to come around to assess security situation and to seek areas of cooperation between the respective state governments and police commissioners to enhance security in the states across the Northeast region.

“I can confirm that the situation in Gombe State is calm. However, there is a need for us to fortify security around so that we can cope with any eventuality, not only in terms of the protest but also in terms of enhancing security in respect of other crimes that may be prevalent around.”

Ciroma added that he was in the state to evaluate the security situation and strengthen coordination between the police force and state authorities in the aftermath of the violent protests that erupted on August 1.

Equally, the Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, commended the DIG for his proactive approach and reassured him of the Gombe State Government’s commitment to working closely with law enforcement agencies to maintain the peace and security in the state.

Yahaya, after the Thursday pockets of violence, toured some damaged facilities to assess the level of destruction caused by the hoodlums

At the Gombe main market, Yahaya expressed concern over the extensive damage inflicted on both public and private property while assuring the people of the government’s commitment to maintaining the peace and stability in the state.

“I have gone round to personally assess the extensive damage caused by the violent protest. From what I have seen, the destruction is enormous. Not just public facilities, businesses were also affected,” the governor lamented.

He emphasised the importance of preserving the peace in Gombe, a state known for its stability, Yahaya who doubles as the Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum thereafter urged the residents to resume their socio-economic activities, assuring them of their safety and security.

“I urge everyone to resume their daily activities; farmers should return to their farms, and business owners should reopen their shops. No one should get panicky. We assure you of your safety and security,” he added.

He said that he chose not to impose curfew on the state, even in the face of the violent protests, to avoid subjecting the people to further hardship given the current situation.

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno alleged that 95 per cent of the youths who participated in the violent protests in Maiduguri were children under 14 years of age.

Zulum stressed for emphasis, “Over 95 per cent of those who participated in the so-called Thursday protests were children under 14 years. Most of them do not know why they are protesting.

“A six-year-old child carrying a placard is amazing; he must have been directed by someone. Most of those children are not from Borno.”

The governor who doubles as the Chairman North-East Governors’ Forum added, “In what could have been a major disaster, attempts were made by the hoodlums on several occasions to attack the Maiduguri Emergency Power Gas Plant, however, it was averted by our gallant security forces. Violence has no place in our society, and I implore citizens to reject any call to arms or act of aggression.

“As we lift the curfew on Saturday, any person that engages in looting and violent activities will be dealt with accordingly,” the governor threatened.