A protest march in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State turned violent on Thursday, August 1st, 2024 when community youths attacked demonstrators participating in the nationwide hunger protest.
The incident occurred on the Mbiama/Yenagoa road, as protesters were marching with police escort when youths from the Biogbolo community ambushed them.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers used bottles, planks, and other weapons, forcing protesters to flee for their safety. Gunshots were also heard during the melee.
The protest, which aimed to highlight the country's economic situation, was met with resistance from community youths who had been mobilized to prevent demonstrations in their areas.
Despite the violence, the police maintained a strong presence in the city, with security agencies including vigilantes were stationed at major junctions and roundabouts. At Government House, Ekeki Motor Park, Nigerian Content Tower and Central Bank of Nigeria, Yenagoa Branch, there were policemen, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Operation Doo Akpo.
While some businesses remained closed, others operated partially, and vehicular movement was not restricted. At the Etegwe Roundabout, operatives of the Bayelsa State Vigilantes were there in full force.
In a statement, the Bayelsa State Police Command acknowledged the right to peaceful assembly and urged protesters to conduct themselves responsibly. The Commissioner of Police warned that anyone engaging in violence or criminal activities would face the full force of the law.
Meanwhile, hoodlums who claimed to be part of the demonstrators mobbed a reporter from Leadership Newspaper who was there to cover the protest. The reporter who tried to record activities of events that unfolded, had his phone snatched by the hoodlums and was also hit repeatedly.
Nationwide protests have erupted across Nigeria, as citizens vent their frustration over the country’s prevailing economic hardship.
While many demonstrations have remained peaceful, pockets of violence have been reported in various regions.
It was gathered that protesters in Lekki Tollgate, Eagle Square in Abuja and Kano were thrown in disarray when officers stationed at different protest grounds fired teargas and Pepper Spray at them.
In Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub, protests erupted in various locations, with demonstrators kicking off their marches from key points such as Ikeja, Ojota, and Lekki.
