Security agents reportedly killed six persons and wounded scores in the ongoing protest in Suleja, Niger State.
Yahaya Nda Isah, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja, hit by a stray bullet, was among the six killed.
The bullet was said to have hit Isa who was on his bike in front of the Suleja Police ‘A’ division where protesters had assembled.
A nephew of the deceased said his uncle was on his bike when the bullet fired to disperse the protesters hit him on his chest and he died on the spot.
“He was my uncle. He was not even protesting. He was passing in front of the Police ‘A’ division where some people were protesting when stray Bullet hit him on his chest and he died. As I speak with you, I am in his house alongside other mourners. It’s unfortunate”, he said.
Another victim simply identified as Malam Abu died instantly.
An anonymous resident revealed that three other people were killed at the scene while two others were shot at the Suleja Junction on Abuja-Kaduna road but could not confirm if other victims were dead.
The victims were killed as security operatives try to dislodge protesters who barricaded on a section of Abuja-Kaduna highway.
Passengers and motorists were trapped on the road for hours.
Some policemen who were around the barricade could not control the youths who outnumbered them.
However, a reinforcement team was sent to the scene where pandemonium occurred.
The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said some hoodlums wanted to set the Tafa LG secretariat on fire but they were dispersed by security operatives.
“The miscreants attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze, they were dispersed by the Police and military. Kaduna road and toll gate was cleared,” he said.
