By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Seventeen people were confirmed dead on the first day of the #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria.
Initially peaceful, the demonstrations escalated into violence across several cities. In Abuja, a protester was shot dead, and eyewitness Ekaete described the scene: “The police fired live shots, killing the young man.” Kano and Jigawa also witnessed fatal shootings. Niger State saw six deaths, and in Borno, suspected Boko Haram militants infiltrated the protest, resulting in four deaths and 34 injuries. Kaduna recorded three deaths.
Protest leader Michael Lenin declared, “The protest will continue. We are resolute.” A female protester in Abuja confronted police, holding her baby, and said, “I came to protest the hardship in Nigeria… Do they also want to kill my baby?”
Curfews have been imposed in Kano, Yobe, and Nasarawa. Minister of State for Youth Development Ayodele Olawande stated, “It is your right to protest.” Activist Omoyele Sowore condemned the violence, saying, “People have a right to peaceful protests.” Despite calls for dialogue, the protests continue.
