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Calm returns to Abuja after Thursday’s protest

Most parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were calm on Friday as residents took in the events accompanying the #EndBadGovernance protest 24 hours earlier.

Some protesters who had attempted to gather earlier in the morning at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium were quickly dispersed by the police, who fired canisters of tear gas at them.

Most major roads in the nation’s capital were deserted, with security personnel in riot gear stationed at strategic places ostensibly to avoid a repeat of the riots witnessed during Thursday’s protest, when miscreants took advantage to cause mayhem in some areas.

Many residents did not come out for their usual daily schedules as they waited to see the direction of events on what was supposed to be the second day of the 10-day protest.

The few commuters who ventured out had a hard time finding means of transportation to their destinations.

While roads that were blocked on Thursday were opened, many business premises were still shut, even though no gatherings of protesters or miscreants were visible.

However, some vehicles were still seen with green leaves as a sign that they sympathised with the protest.

The security around the villa remained heightened, with fully kitted soldiers mounting all gates leading to the seat of power.

There had been palpable tension in many parts of the nation’s capital on Thursday as fear grew that the protest may descend into anarchy.

Police had shot canisters of tear gas in an attempt to disperse the huge crowd that had massed around Asokoro.

The Kubwa-Zuba Motorway was blocked by protesters who prevented the normal movement of traffic.

Some commuters reported being harassed and stripped of their phones and other valuables in the area.

Security agents struggled for hours before finally being able to reopen the road.

The Kurudu axis was also taken over by miscreants under the guise of protesting bad governance.

Commuters were forced to turn back after being confronted by protesters made up of mainly commercial tricycle (Keke Napep) riders who also brandished green tree branches, cudgels, and other dangerous implements.

Their action completely cut off movement from Karshi town to other parts of the nation’s capital city.

Traders also hurriedly closed their shops for fear of being looted by the miscreants.

Police were seen mobilising at the Kurudu police station, apparently in preparation to storm the protest area to restore order.

Scores of military men were also sighted in the Kurudu market area, monitoring the situation.

Some of the protesters who had attempted to gather at Eagle Square in the morning were beaten back by the police, who used tear gas.

Many of them, however, obeyed the court order limiting the protest to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

Violence was reported in Mararaba, just outside the federal territory.

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