Protest grounds Abuja, environs

Many parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday succumbed to the protest against the high cost of living in the country as thousands of residents heeded the call for the action.

Many people were unable to commute for their daily businesses as

major roads were taken over by protesters.

While many were orderly and  bore placards and green tree branches,

some carried sticks, cudgels and other implements to intimidate innocent passersby.

There was palpable tension in many parts is the nation’s capital as fear grew that the protest may descend into anarchy.

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

The Kubwa-Zuba Expressway was blocked by protesters who prevented 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 able to reopen the road.

The Kurudu axis was also taken over by miscreants in the guise of protesting over 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 mobilizing 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 the 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.

As the #EndBadGovernance protest was on, President Bola Tinubu had a meeting with the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Wike arrived the villa  for the meeting with President Tinubu at about 4pm.

Even though it was not clear what specifically they might have discussed, it would have been connected with the ongoing protest.