Nigerian Government Asked to Withdraw Soldiers from Yobe Town Over Killing of Three Protesters

Yobe youths have called on the federal government to withdraw soldiers from their town.

The call followed alleged killing of protesters by soldiers in Gashua town in Bade local government area of the state.

The protest was ignited when one of the vehicles of the military patrolling the town hit a tricycle injuring the tricyclists and his passengers.

This was said to have annoyed the association of tricyclists in the town who went on a protest match.

While protesting the incident, the military at a checkpoint were said to have taken aim at them, killing three protesters and injuring several others.

One Adamu Hassan, an eye witness, told journalists, that the incident happened at the popular Garin Alkali market via Gashua, the headquarters of the Bade local government area of the state.

He said after the initial collision of a fast moving military patrol vehicle with the tricycle with left the tricyclist and his passengers injured, the association of commercial tricyclists mobilized and staged protests in some locations blocking the main road leading to Gashua.”

He said: “The army personnel who became furious returned and started shooting sporadically, unfortunately some protesters were injured and later evacuated to Specialist Hospital, Gashua for medical attention.” 

A source from the Specialists Hospital Gashua who pleaded for anonymity, said several casualties including corpses were brought into the hospital, but could not give the exact number.

When the Chairman of Bade local government area, Ibrahim Babagana was contacted by journalists, he said three persons were killed in the protest, with several others sustaining various degrees of injuries.

He said: “You may be aware that the clash is between Keke NAPEP riders and Army. As I am talking to you; threw persons have been confirmed dead while others sustained various injuries.”

He noted that efforts are on to calm the situation as prominent people of the town in conjunction with the Emir of Bade, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman are appealing to residents to allow for peace.

Meanwhile, some of the residents have called for the withdrawal of soldiers from the town.

Some of the protesters, who spoke anonymously to journalists, said, “We will not agree to the killing of our people. We don’t want military to stay in Gashua town.”

Michael Olugbode in Damaturu

Follow us on: