Update: Fuel Hike Protesters Torch Government Assets In Niger

NIGER STATE GOVERNOR, DR MUAZU ALIYU BABANGIDA.

SAN FRANCISCO, January 11, (THEWILL) – Protesters in Minna, Niger State have set ablaze the campaign office of the governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Aliyu Babangida as the fuel hike protests entered Day 3 today, THEWILL can authoritatively report.

The property used to house the campaign office of former military dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida.

Sources in Minna told THEWILL that the INEC office in the capital has also been torched by angry protesters following a directive from the state government that workers should go back to work.

Hoodlums who reportedly hijacked the initially peaceful Occupy Nigeria protests in Minna, made bonfires along major streets while destroying vehicles and properties in sight.

An office complex belonging to the Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr. Tanko Beji was also torched. The Constituency office of Hon. Jumai Jafaru-Mariga along Bosso Road was not spared. A bakery in Tunga was looted and destroyed while several other properties belonging to the state government including the Murtala Muhammed Park and private properties were either torched or vandalized.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots in the morning near Government House, around Chanchaga and Kpakungu areas of Minna.

The hoodlums also harassed and stopped people from going about their businesses warning that shops would be razed if they are not shut. They said an announcement on radio and television by the Head of Service, Alhaji Ibrahim Metane, directing workers to return to work was responsible for their outrage.

“We no go gree. We are not allowing anyone return to work until Jonathan returns fuel to N65 per litre,” one hoodlum told THEWILL reporter.

The attacks forced the state government to deploy armed soldiers to the streets to restore normalcy, while several strategic points have been taken over by heavily armed military personnel.

A 24-hour curfew has been declared in the state.