In a surprising turn of events, a policeman initially reported dead during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests has survived, although still in a critical condition.
According to the police, nine officers were injured during attacks by protesters, and 618 suspects have been arrested for various violent crimes committed during the protests, according to Channels TV.
The protests, which entered their third day on Saturday, are demanding economic reforms, including the restoration of petrol subsidies and the forex regime, as well as addressing food shortages, unemployment, and wasteful spending by those in power.
However, the protests turned violent in several states, including Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Jigawa, and Nasarawa, with rampaging hoodlums burning vehicles, looting warehouses, and private stores.
The Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on red alert, and officers are fully mobilized to respond swiftly and decisively to public safety and order.
“Nine (9) police officers sustained various degrees of injuries during attacks by protesters.
“One of them who initially was reported dead, miraculously survived but remains in critical condition,” Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said in a statement on Saturday.
He had lamented that events in major cities on Thursday were “mass uprising and looting, not protests”.
“In places like FCT, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, among others, we recorded incidents of unprovoked attacks on our security personnel where one policeman has been reported murdered and others seriously injured.
“In light of the current situation, the Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on red alert. Our officers are fully mobilised and prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to public safety and order,” the IGP had said.
