BREAKING: Violence Erupts In Asaba As Alleged ‘PDP Hired Thugs’ Chase Away Protesters, Assault Journalists Covering #EndBadGovernance Protest

By Onota Oghenevwede

A group of anti-protesters suspected to be hired thugs associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have descended on some journalists covering the EndBadGovernance protest in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) gathers that Delta State, investigative journalist Prince Amour Udemude, along with Punch correspondent, Matthew Ochei and Guardian reporter, Monday Osayande, and Pointer Editor, Lucy were attacked by the thugs.

The chaos erupted at the Inter-Bua roundabout, where the nationwide end bad governance protest was taking place.

The suspected PDP thugs aggressively confronted journalists and protesters, attempting to intimidate and silence them.

During the altercation, the leader of the suspected thugs targeted Amour as he filmed the events, physically assaulting him and demanding his phone.

As the situation escalated, the thugs turned their aggression towards Ochei, Osayande, and Lucy, an editor from the state-owned Pointer newspaper.

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Disturbingly, armed police officers from the Delta State command were present but did not intervene.

Fortunately, an army personnel arrived on the scene just in time to rescue Amour and his fellow journalists, ensuring their safe removal from the volatile scene.

Amour told one of our correspondent that he was targeted by the anti-protest youths known to be PDP members.

“As the anti-protesters were manhandling one of the pro-protesters, the leader of the PDP thugs saw Amour recording, and immediately jacked him on his jean trousers and other thugs joined and began to manhandle the investigative Journalist, demanding for his phone”, one of journalist said on phone.

“We where at the popular Inter-Bua roundabout, Asaba, capital of Delta state, the venue of the #Nationwide Bad Governance Protest, when the thugs descended on us”, the journalist said.

Meanwhile, the police have fired teargas to disperse a small group of protesters at the Federal Secretariat as well as the Eagle Square in Abuja.

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The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had secured a court order on Wednesday restricting the protest in Abuja to the M.K.O Abiola National Stadium.

The protesters are a small group that came into the square in defiance of the court order. Protesters had gathered at the M.K.O Abiola National Stadium early in the day.

Elsewhere, the #Endbadgovernance protest has kicked off in some parts of Kaduna metropolis.

At Ungwan Muazu, along the Nnamdi Azikwe bye pass, the youths were seen carrying placards with different inscriptions chanting in Hausa “bama yin mulkin zalunci” meaning “we say no to bad governance!”

Similarly, protest against the President Bola Tinubu-led government over bad governance has erupted in Kano State.

The protesters who are mostly youth stormed the entrance of the Kano State government house chanting “Bamuyi” which implies “no to bad governance” and “chanji muke so” meaning “we want change”.

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They were seen displaying placards carrying different inscriptions to convey their messages of displeasure against bad governance.

The protesters were seen matching from different parts of the state towards the state road down to government house.

Similarly, protest in support of the government is also taking place.

Meanwhile the Pro-Tinubu protesters took over the Audu Bako way in support of the government.

It was gathered that at the Zoo road area some protesters attempted to loot shops but were dispersed by security agencies on ground to avert break down of law and order.

In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the protesters have occupied major roads to drive home their demands.

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The agitators took off from Iwo Road, heading towards the state secretariat in Agodi.

The protesters, armed with placards carrying the inscriptions of their various demands, have vowed not to back down in their agitations until their demands are met.