Big-time traders and those managing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), as well as transporters in states where the #EndBadGovernance protest took place, are counting their losses, Daily Trust reports.

Violent demonstrations which accompanied the protest across the nation since August 1, have led to the imposition of curfew in some states to tame the activities of hoodlums that hid under the protest to loot.

The development also led to restriction of movement and closure of business premises.

Though the curfew has been relaxed in some states, many of those who spoke to our correspondents said they lost huge fortunes during the siege on their businesses by thieves.

Others said they lost revenue because they were forced to close their shops for fear of hoodlums who went about attacking businesses.

Transporters also spoke of the grounding of their activities due to fear of being attacked, or simply because there were no passengers.

Over N5bn worth of goods looted – Barakat Stores owners

The most pronounced private properties looted and vandalised in Kano include the retail outlets of Barakat Stores and Rufaidah Yoghurt.

Speaking on their experience, Barakat Stores’ General Manager, Muhammad Sani, popularly known as Alhaji Karami, said an estimated N5 billion worth of goods and properties have so far been destroyed.

“We have branches at Lodge Road, Korau Road and Rijiyar Zaki; then our warehouse inside Garba AD House, just beside the Government House. We share the same fence.

“On that day (August 1), I, alongside some of our supervisors, spent the night dispatching security operatives across the branches up till around 7am. When I went home to rest, my wife woke me up and told me that there is a problem with our store.

“Before I arrived, the store had been ravaged and looted.

“What we lost is estimated at between N4.5 billion and N5 billion, and it may even be higher. We have expensive things there. We have two containers from China, two and half containers from Turkey that came less than two months ago.

“About 1,000 cartons of vegetable oil were looted also. We did not even pay for it. We were billed to pay up later. There are other goods we brought from Lagos; about 30 vans.

“We have our distribution van, a Mitsubishi which we bought about two months ago at N15 million, they burnt it down,” he said.

He added that while security operatives had recovered some of the stolen items like flour, pieces of noodles, oil, among others, “We are trying to get the full estimate of the recovered items. We are currently using a rented store to compile that.

“We have written our reports and sent to the government and security operatives.

“On our part, we have forged ahead and business continues, but currently, we have over 300 Staff in our three branches and most of them are off duty. They are jobless because of what happened,” he said.

Ibrahim Bello Bayero, another property owner said: “They (miscreants) broke into my pharmaceutical shop at Court Road and stole two deep freezers and some medicines.”

He said his car valued at N3.5 million was burnt down at the Audu Bako Secretariat.

A Rufaidah Yoghurt plaza at Hotoro, Maiduguri Road, was also vandalised and looted by hoodlums.

However, efforts to speak with the owners or managers were not successful.

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, said intelligence failure led to the attacks on public and private properties in the state during the #EndBadGovernance protest.

The emir, who spoke when he paid a visit to the Kano Printing Press, the NCC Digital Industrial Park and Barakat Stores, said the security agents were notified of the plans for the attacks on some of the properties days before the incidents.

He said, “Kano was billed to be destroyed but we pray that God will not let them succeed. May God return all that was lost; we can only pray.”

The Commissioner, Ministry of Science, Technology and ICT, Muhammad Tajo Othman, said the state government has the assurance of the federal government to restore the building.

The Kano State government’s Printing Press, which was also vandalised was established in 1938, and had been serving the state over the years.

The NCC centre was billed for commissioning but everything has been looted.

Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, who is the spokesman of Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf, said a commission of enquiry will soon be set up by the government to investigate the incidents.

“A workable solution will soon be charted so that the government can intervene,” he said.

The chairman of Singer Market Traders Association, Alhaji Junaidu Muhammad Zakari, said small business owners and service providers have lost huge sums of money to the hunger protest.

The market, which was closed since the commencement of the protest, remained under lock and key until Tuesday.

Traders like Abdullahi Ismail, Habibu Yusuf and Jamil Harisu, said though the market was not looted, traders lost income from the closure of their businesses.

“For almost five days, nothing was happening and this meant a lot of loss to all of us,” he said.

Singer is the wholesale market for rice, sugar, flour, noodles and other food items in Kano City. It attracts customers from within and outside Nigeria daily.

Similarly, business activities at Dawanau Grains Market, located in Dawakin Tofa LGA, were at a standstill for days.

The president of the market association, Alhaji Muntaka Isa, told newsmen on Monday that 800 security men were deployed to secure the market against theft.

He said hoodlums from neighbouring ‘Mil Tara’, Bachirawa and Rijiyar Lemo had attempted to loot shops in the market but were prevented by the vigilance of the security men deployed, including 400 vigilante members.

Our supplies were cut – Borno, Yobe traders

Traders in Borno and Yobe states said the protest had cut off their supplies from Kano and Jos, in addition to the losses incurred on the first day of the protest and during the curfew.

At the Monday Market in Maiduguri, which typically bustles with crowds of buyers from different parts of the state and beyond the borders with Niger, Chad and Cameroon, dealers, wholesalers and traders said they suffered from the disturbing incidents.

Malam Bashir Bakura, a dealer of various commodities, said he was grateful to God that no looting took place in the market, but said the losses for not transacting for two days were immeasurable.

“In a day, I make sales of nothing less than N30 million. Some would make up to N100 million or even higher, but we were forced out of the business by the protesters. But we thank God they didn’t invade the market. But, our goods were also trapped in Kano,” he said.

Garba Bunu, an interstate transporter, lamented that the curfew affected his business, citing low patronage.

“My vehicles were packed for three days, which is a big loss to me. Things are difficult for us, but Insha Allah, we will survive it,” he said.

In Yobe, business activities have returned to Damaturu, the state capital, unlike in Potiskum and Nguru towns where the protesters looted shops leading to the imposition of curfew.

Also, traders in the state capital complained about a decline in sales and supplies.

Abare Balume, a trader at Damaturu Main Market, said many people refused to open their businesses even after the protest.

“Curfew has been lifted but many traders refused to fully open their businesses for the fear of the unknown,” he said.

Another trader, Alhaji Bukar, said his consignments were trapped in Jos, and prayed for normalcy to return.

Huge losses suffered in Gombe

A trader, Alhaji Sani Muhammad Yawale, said the closure of the Gombe main market during the protests led to significant losses.

He said before the protests, he was making over N1 million in sales daily.

He added that there was still an atmosphere of uncertainty in the market because many traders have refused to reopen their shops for fear of another attack by hoodlums.

Najib Ishaq Saleh, a shop owner at the Gombe Old Market, said he used to make sales of between N200,000 to N300,000 a day, but since the protests began, the business had stopped.

Businesses slowed in Lagos

Also, commercial vehicle operators in Lagos lamented a decline in patronage since the commencement of the protest.

One of the leaders at Ojota Motor Park, which is close to Freedom Park, one of the venues of the protest, said patronage had declined.

“We are hoping that full life will resume after the 10th day. This is because, even though not much is happening around the protest, people are still sceptical to move around,” he said.

We lost a lot of income in Kwara

In Kwara State, a cement distributor, Mrs Latifat Abdullahi, said though there was no serious security breach in the state, cement manufacturers stopped their trucks from going to the state.

“Our business was grounded and money is not coming in. We lost a lot in terms of income,” she said.

‘We were caged in Jos’

Jamilu Kabiru, who sells electrical equipment in Jos, the Plateau State capital, said they were negatively impacted by the protest.

“The protests have disrupted the supply chain, making it difficult for us to restock our shops. We could not bring goods from Lagos because owners of heavy trucks were afraid to drive on the roads. This is really a set back to the business,” he said.

Ibrahim Aliyu, a phone seller and repairer, said it was tough because the curfew imposed on Jos and Bukuru grounded everything.

“We were caged, honestly,” he said. “May we not see this kind of protest again,” he added.

Shortage of bread, others in Kaduna

Businessmen in Kaduna have also been counting their losses.

This is just as scarcity of bread, rice and other essential commodities hit communities as many shops were closed and the few that were open ran out of stock following the curfew imposed by the state government to curtail the escalation of violence.

A provision shop owner in Kadaure area of Kaduna, Aisha Musa, said she was forced to close her shop because many people came looking for goods that she did not have.

“Since the protest started on Thursday, I have been unable to go to the market to re-stock my shop for fear of being lynched,” she said.

Curfew relaxed in northern states

Eight northern states that had imposed curfew when the #EndBadGovernance protests degenerated into violence have now relaxed the restriction due to improved security conditions.

The Kano State government has modified its 24-hour curfew to 12-hours –  from 6pm to 6am.

In Bauchi State, the 24-hour curfew in Azare, Katagum LGA, has also been adjusted to a 12-hour restriction.

The Borno State government has completely lifted the movement restriction that was previously imposed following various security incidents, including protests, IED explosions, and culpable homicide.

Katsina State has eased the 24-hour curfew in Dutsinma LGA to 12 hours, from 7pm to 7am, similar to the rest of the state.

Jigawa State has fully lifted the 24-hour curfew in 19 local government areas and reduced it in eight others. In Babura, Birnin Kudu, Dutse, Gumel, Hadejia, Kazaure, Kiyawa and Roni LGAs, the curfew now runs from 6pm to 5am.

The Plateau State Government has also relaxed the 24-hour curfew in Jos-Bukuru metropolis. Residents can move freely between 12noon and 6pm daily.

Kaduna’s 24-hour restriction of movement has also been eased. After a review of the security situation in Kaduna and Zaria towns and environs, the state’s security council relaxed the curfew, allowing movement between 8am and 6pm.

In Yobe State, the 24-hour curfew in Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru LGAs has also been relaxed.

[DailyTrust]

The Borno State Police Command said it prevented hoodlums who hijacked the #endbadgovernance protest in Maiduguri from looting and vandalising private businesses during the August 1  protests which led to the death of four persons and left 34 others injured.

However, while the Borno Police gives its officers the thumbs up for a job well done, Hadjia Halima Ali, the mother of Habilu Ali has accused the Police of indiscriminately shooting at innocent citizens; the result which is the fatal shooting of her son who is currently recuperating at the state specialist hospital where other victims are also receiving free medical treatment.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, had narrated to Arewa PUNCH during an interactive session on Thursday in Maiduguri how the police in the state botched the attempts of hoodlums to loot and vandalise private homes, businesses and other properties.

According to him, security operatives tried to prevent the destruction of public facilities, but the high number of violent protesters destroyed several properties worth millions of naira belonging to the state government 

He said “The properties destroyed included the Crossover bridge in Bulumkutu road, flower vessels from Malakachala round-about down to Airport Roundabout downward,  street lights on Lagos street, vandalisation of interlock from Gwange down to UMTH Junction”

The PPRO continued, “They destroyed four vehicles belonging to BOTMA in Mechanical Quarters and ransacked the office, they also looted properties from the office of  UNHR and attempted to break into warehouses; a move which was foiled by proactive measures of the police.”

Daso said he witnessed private vehicles and tricycles of non-protesters, which were on the verge of being destroyed by the hoodlums, but the attempt was thwarted by the physical presence of security operatives.

Speaking also on how the Police saved private homes, houses and businesses from being looted and the properties vandalised, he said, “As of now, we haven’t heard of any private store or shop which was completely ransacked, although, there were attempts. However because the state was in chaos, many people left their businesses. As I mentioned earlier the proactive measures of the police who were very much on the ground, prevented such attacks.”

Corroborating the Police, a resident of Maiduguri, Mohamed Abba said it was Allah and the effort of the Police that helped him as he would have become financially ruined because his shop was located in the Bulumkutu area where the protest escalated.

Abba narrated to Arewa PUNCH, “Walahi, I was at home praying that what was happening in other places as regards looting should not happen here because if it did, where will I start from? He queried.

“I have a kiosk here in Bulumkutu. All thanks to Allah and the Nigeria Police,” a visibly elated Abba said.

Meanwhile, Arewa PUNCH had reported that the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum had visited the state specialist hospital where the victims are receiving free medical treatment and are also being with the sum of N30,000 each.

However, Halima Ali, the mother of Habilu Ali, one of the Victims disclosed to Arewa PUNCH  that his son who is still receiving treatment was shot by the Nigeria Police Force, even though the state Commissioner of Police, Yusuf Lawal had attributed the shootings to  Boko Haram elements.

[Punch]

ANGRY reactions yesterday trailed the invasion of the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, by some security agents late Wednesday night.

Although operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, were said to have carried out the attack, the secret police were, however, quick to deny its involvement yesterday.

Recall that agents of the state raided the NLC offices at about 10 pm, which is what sources described as being connected with the recent nationwide protests against hardship in the country.

DSS denies involvement

“Good morning dear friends. Please, kindly note that the Service (DSS) did not carry out any operation at the NLC office in Abuja,” a spokesperson of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, said in a terse statement.

Among those who reacted included former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, his counterpart in the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, Amnesty International, International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, lawyers and civil society organisations., CSOs.

In its immediate response to the raid, the NLC sought an international inquiry into the invasion, describing the development as dangerous to the nation’s democracy.

Efforts to get the reaction of both the Presidency and the information minister proved abortive last night.

We‘re still shocked by the invasion—NLC

Reacting to the raid yesterday, NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Benson Upah, said the labour movement had already directed all employees to stay away from office.

He said: “We are still shocked by the invasion. First, all staff of the Congress stayed away from the office as directed by the leadership. We cannot yet fathom the reason or reasons for the invasion.

‘’Since last night, we have been receiving calls from across the globe, including our affiliates to express their disbelief and outrage over the invasion. They said not even under military dictatorship did such a thing happen.

“We understand that the Department of State Services, DSS, has denied involvement. Who did it, alongside the uniformed policemen that invaded and ransacked the Labour House? We are in dangerous times in Nigeria. From what is happening, everybody is threatened. This is all I can say for now.”

Atiku condemns invasion

In his reaction, former vice president and presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, while condemning the invasion, said whoever ordered the invasion by men believed to be a combined team of security officials should be held accountable.

Atiku, who spoke through his Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, said such clandestine raids on civil liberties had no place in a democracy.

He said: “The invasion of the national secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, by persons believed to be security operatives, whether singly or as a combined team, stands condemned.

“The practice of such raids without a valid court order and in the wee hours of the day reflects the current administration’s desire to hold on to the vestiges of military dictatorship which the NLC, civil society and the media fought so hard to end and birth the democratic rule we enjoy today.

“Events of the last couple of weeks have shown this administration’s growing obsession with militarization of our polity.

“They are trying to suppress civil liberties and silence the media. Just the other day, they had protesters shot at and some killed for daring to protest the hardships this administration’s policies have unleashed on the people.

“This administration must be told in clear terms that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria and those who do not share the same views with government must be allowed to air their views.’’

Invasion of NLC secretariat condemnable- Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, in his reaction, described the raid as condemnable.

Speaking through his Media Aide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Obi noted that raiding the office of the labour union, especially at an unholy hour, was not the best thing to do.

He said: “The NLC as an organization, fights for the rights of the majority of Nigerian workers and their officials are accessible.

“If any of our security agencies desire to see them, the proper thing to do is to invite them and I know they are law-abiding; they will honour such invitations.

“Invading their offices, especially after office hours, is an attempt to intimidate them. This has no place in a democracy.’’

ITUC demands investigation

In its reaction, the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, in its X handle, called on the Federal Government to immediately return all property carted away by the invading security operatives.

ITUC, which plans to issue a full statement today (August 9), said: “ITUC strongly condemns the attack on NLC Headquarters by security forces.

‘’We call on the Nigerian government to immediately recall its security forces from the premises of the NLC, return all property taken from the premises, and conduct an investigation.’’

ITUC also called on the Federal Government to respect labour and trade union rights as #HumanRights, build trust with the labour movement in Nigeria, listen to their demands for meaningful and effective dialogue, and stop attacking them!”

TUC fumes, demands investigation

Also reacting, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC , condemned the invasion and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.

TUC in a statement by its President, Festus Osifo said: “The TUC condemns the Wednesday night’s invasion of the Labour House, headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Abuja, by security operatives.

“The reported confiscation of books from the NLC library, allegedly in search of ‘End Bad Governance’ materials, is a troubling act that raises serious concerns about the violation of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and expression.

“This action represents an overreach by security forces and poses a threat to the democratic principles that allow for peaceful dissent and free expression.

“We consider this invasion a direct attack on the rights of Nigerian citizens to freely express their views and to access information.

“The TUC calls on the Federal Government to immediately launch a thorough investigation into this incident. Those responsible for authorizing and executing this operation must be held accountable. “We demand the prompt return of all seized materials to the NLC library and an explanation for this unjustified action.

“Nigerians must be reassured that their rights are protected and that security agencies operate within the confines of the law, respecting the freedoms guaranteed under our constitution.”

Amnesty International condemns the raid

On its part, the Country Director of Amnesty International, Isa Sanusi, described the raid as a “sinister and calculated attack” designed to intimidate the labour union.

Sanusi said: “Amnesty International strongly condemns the brazen invasion of the headquarters of Nigeria Labour Congress by a contingent of armed security personnel.

‘’The chilling raid last night (Wednesday) appears to be part of a sinister and calculated attack designed to intimidate the labour union.

“We are deeply concerned about the safety of NLC officials. Under international human rights law and standards, trade unions cannot be targeted for their participating activities.”
Amnesty International emphasised that Nigeria had an obligation to respect and protect the rights of trade unions under international human rights law.

“Under international human rights law, Nigeria has an obligation not only to respect the rights of trade unions but also to protect these rights from abuse,’’ the group added.

Mike Ozekhome, SAN

Also reacting yesterday, human rights activist, Mike Ozekhome, said: “The invasion will depend on what sensitive information the Secret Service had regarding existential national security matters.

‘’If the invasion was carried out merely as part of scare-mongering device, artifice and tactics to repress popular dissent and permissible civil and peaceful protests, then it was utterly wrong.

‘’But, if it was done to protect public safety, public good and the rights of others to enjoy their fundamental rights, then it could be excused.

“However, the onus lies on the DSS to show that it acted within the confines of the law and that there was, indeed, an urgent clear and present danger it hoped to avert or unravel through the invasion, necessitating it not obtaining a prior order of court to search the Labour House premises.”

IGP must fish out invaders – Falana

On his part, human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, said: “Yesterday (Wednesday), the secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress at Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory was invaded and occupied by armed security forces.

‘’The invasion was apparently designed to silence the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress for having the temerity to criticize the harassment of the #endbadgovernance protesters by the police and other security agencies.

“The invasion is a shameful reminder of the armed invasion of the NLC Secretariat on February 28, 1988, following the loss of the post of the president of the congress at the Triennial Delegates Conference of the Congress by the stooge of Ibrahim Babangida’s military junta.

‘’As if the invasion was not enough, the reactionary forces in power at the material time proceeded to seize the secretariat and impose a sole administrator to manage the affairs of the Congress for over a year.

‘’Two years earlier, security operatives had detained NLC leaders, including its president, Comrade Ali Chiroma, who died a few months ago. The Gestapo tactic on that tragic occasion was to forestall a nationwide protest in response to police killings of Ahmadu Bello University students.

“For genuine democrats, it’s utterly regrettable that official actions in a democratic dispensation could be reminiscent of the atrocities that defined the dark days of military dictatorship.

“It is incontestable that it is illegal for security forces to invade the homes and offices of law-abiding citizens and corporate bodies under a democratic dispensation, hence, the State Security Service has denied its involvement in the invasion.

‘However, the official denial of the State Security Service in the repressive activity is not sufficient. We are, therefore, compelled to call on the Inspector-General of Police to order an inquiry into the identities of the perpetrators of the illegal invasion. This should not be a case of unknown invaders!”

Raid shows govt has no regards for democratic space — Inibehe

Similarly, Inibehe Effiong, human rights activist/lawyer said: “It seems this government has no regard for the democratic space. It is a further escalation of attacks on the human rights of Nigerians. It shows that the current administration has no regard for the labour union.

“The fact that the government would be so comfortable to invade the NLC secretariat in that manner should worry all of us. It shows that the city is not safe. That has to stop. But it is completely condemnable. The continuous Nigerian descent into a police state is now being pursued at a very scary pace.

“We cannot continue to condone this kind of behaviour. I don’t understand why that had to happen.It is completely unnecessary and such actions must stop.

“It is also an opportunity for introspection by the labour leaders. They may have to review their relationship with the government.

Raid, sign of Tinubu’s disregard for democracy — Adeyanju

Also reacting, one of the organisers of the recent protest against hardship in the country, Mr Deji Adeyanju, described the raid as a total disregard for democracy.

He said: “One would have thought that a Tinubu that was protesting against the military that he would even understand the concept of democracy, is now one of the greatest threats to Nigerian democracy by going after freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of association, and even raiding the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, headquarters.

“It is unthinkable that a man who ran away on exile out of fear for his life is now picking up protesters from their homes, mount security agents, which they constitute a special task force, comprising Department of State Security Service, DSS, Nigerian Police Force, NPF, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, picking up protesters in their homes on the order of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Unfortunately, we have degenerated to this level under the Tinubu-led administration that did not have regard to democracy, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of association, in fact, Tinubu should hide his face in shame.”

Raiding, seizing books, publications shameful – HOMEF

Equally reacting, the Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, Arc Nnimmo Bassey, described the act of raiding and seizure of books and publications at NLC headquarters disturbing and shameful.

Bassey said: “The invasion of the NLC headquarters by security agencies without a court order is a shocking development. The seizure of books and publications is both disturbing and shameful.

‘’If the action was actually related to the #EndBadGovernance protest, then it is a big insult not only to workers across the nation, but also to every hungry and angry citizen.

‘’The government should ‘go to court’ if they suspect the NLC of indoctrinating the poor Nigerians who went on the streets to tell the world they were hungry.

‘’Why seize books? Is the government afraid of books and ideas? Are the security agents now constituting themselves into a thought police?

‘’Unless they have credible information implicating the NLC in acts of illegality, the security agencies should understand that acts of this nature are embarrassing to the people and the government.

‘’The security agencies should apologize to the NLC, return the books that were seized and be careful not to further stoke the fires of anger and frustration through such abrasive actions.

Govt’s action wrong, aggravating polity – Global Rights

The Executive Director, Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, also said the action of the government was uncalled for.

She said: “The government clearly has made a very wrong move and is only aggravating the polity. They are only piling on their list of atrocities. If they are not careful, it will blow up in their faces.”

Similarly, Dr. Zikirullahi Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, CHRICED, warned that the country was almost returning to a full-blown dictatorship, with the government using iron-fist tactics to suppress dissenting voices.

He criticized the government’s hypocrisy in calling for dialogue while clamping down on dissenting voices.

Zikirullahi said: “We are almost returning to a full-blown dictatorship. The invasion of the NLC national office is reminiscent of our experiences during the dark days of military dictatorship in our nation’s history.

“It’s unfortunate that the President is not even pretending to have learned much from the military days. He wants to use an iron fist to treat issues that could have been better resolved through dialogue.

“On the one hand, he is calling for dialogue with Nigerians, while on the other hand, he is authorizing the security agencies to hunt down and clamp down on Nigerians who are expressing their grievances over some of his policies.”

[Vanguard]