HighlightTop StoryTrending Story

Soldiers, other security agents take over Abuja road, scuttle #EndSARS protest

576

 

 

Abuja residents and #EndSARS protesters were shocked to find soldiers, Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps men positioned strategically on AYA-Nyanya-Mararaba Road leading to the Federal Capital Territory from Nasarawa State to abort further demonstrations by #EndSARS protesters.

A check by Persecondnews reports shows that military men mounted were stationed at the popular AYA roundabout as early as 7.00 am with a roadblock and barricades at the exit to service lanes on both sides of the road.

A handful of protesters had gathered about 9.30am and were engaging  the police and soldiers peacefully, while passersby and roadside hawkers were seen plying their trade at Nyanya under bridge.

However, at 11.00am on the same Nyanya road, there was an altercation between Police and #EndSARS protesters while armed policemen also beat up some protesters in the area.

Persecondnews reports that trouble began when the protesters waved the Nigerian flag and tried to assert their right to lawful and peaceful assembly as enshrined in the Constitution.

In the ensuing encounter, a police officer went for a club and tried to hit one of  the leaders of the protesters.

The stalemate caused traffic gridlock on the ever busy Nyanya-Keffi road while the soldiers deployed ostensibly to protect the Mogadishu Army Barracks were battle-ready.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army had on Sunday announced that its ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ was kicking off across the country but denied that it is targeted at the #EndSARS protests.

A statement issued by the Army Spokesperson Musa Sagir on Saturday noted that the exercise, scheduled to commence from October 20 to December 31, 2020, had “no relationship with any lawful protest under any guise whatsoever.’’

“For the records, Exercise Crocodile Smile is a yearly exercise in the Nigerian Army calendar/forecast of events which traditionally holds from October to December of each year,” it said.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Alleged $1bln Fraud: CBEX Promoter in EFCC Net

Adefowora Abiodun, a suspected promoter of the cryptocurrency trading platform Crypto Bridge...

Nigeria’s $750m DARES Initiative Gains Momentum with New REA Grant Signings, Targets N17.5m Nigerians

    The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) took a significant step towards...

112 electrocution fatalities: CJN urges judiciary to enforce industry safety regulations

With 112 electrocution fatalities and 95 injuries recorded in Nigeria’s power sector...

US Narcotics Bureau lauds NDLEA’s operational successes, pledges continued collaboration

As a testament to its reputation as one of the leading forces...

Cardinals to convene conclave, elect new Pope

The Vatican has announced that Catholic cardinals will meet on May 7...

Uxoricide: Nwachukwu, Widower of Gospel Singer Osinachi, Sentenced to Death by Hanging

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has...

South Africa Marks 31 Years of Freedom, Nigeria Extends Congratulations

The government and people of Nigeria have extended warm congratulations to South...

Annie’s Slip, Davido’s Triumph, and the Unforgettable Moments at Headies’‘Back to Base’

Stepping onto the 17th Headies Awards stage at the Landmark Event Centre...

History Makers: Liverpool Claim Unprecedented 20th League Championship

By Samuel Akpan with agency report Liverpool have been crowned Premier League...

Breaking: Sexual harassment allegation: Suspended Sen. Natasha ‘apologizes’ to Akpabio

In a move that has been described as both an apology and...

Exclusive: FCT Set to Roll Out High-Capacity Buses As Abuja Terminals Near Completion

Abuja residents are buzzing with excitement as they count down to the...

Lagos Hotel Drug Bust Nets NDLEA N1.04bln Haul

In another significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the National Drug Law Enforcement...

US Grants Asylum to Over 800 Nigerians in Two Years

Over the past two years, 897 Nigerians were granted asylum in the...

FCT Minister Wike Launches Crackdown on Unregistered Hospitals, Quack Practitioners

Determined to improve the integrity of the capital’s healthcare system, the Federal...

Naira abuse: Singer Terry Apala Spends Weekend in Ikoyi Prison

Afrobeat and Apala artist Terry Apala, whose real name is Terry Alexander...

400,000 followers bid farewell to ‘Pope Among People’ in Rome

By Daniel Okejeme with agency report In a testament to his global...

NPA Inaugurates Committee to Drive Port Operations Transformation

The Federal Government has launched the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC)...

$4.2m COVID-19 Relief Funds Scandal: Prominent Osun Monarch, Pastor Face Jail Terms in US

A prominent Yoruba monarch, Oba Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in...

Pope Francis Laid to Rest in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica

Pope Francis was buried inside his favourite Rome church, the Santa Maria...

WTO’s Okonjo-Iweala Calls on Africa to Boost Intra-Regional Trade Amid US Tariffs

Faced with broad tariffs declared by the United States on African goods,...