By Uzair Adam

Nigeria’s main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government to immediately review its policies, which they claim are “asphyxiating life in the country.”

The Daily Reality reports that the PDP made this call in response to a nationwide protest against the government’s handling of the economy.

The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated that the government’s policies have led to a severe economic downturn, characterized by high inflation, unemployment, and poverty rates.

He criticized the government’s decision to increase fuel prices and float the currency without implementing measures to cushion the effects on citizens.

Ologunagba alleged that the APC government has been arrogant and insensitive to the plight of Nigerians, who are struggling to afford basic necessities like food and cooking oil.

He claimed that over 120 million Nigerians have become destitute and can no longer afford their daily meals and other basic necessities of life, with poverty rates soaring to over 40%.

The PDP accused the APC government of being responsible for the crippling of the productive sector, with the crashing of the Naira to over N1,500 to a Dollar, fuel soaring to over N1,000 per liter, and a high cost of goods and services with over 34% inflation rate and over 40% unemployment rate.

Ologunagba also alleged that APC officials are looting the national treasury to fund their luxurious lifestyles, including acquiring luxury jets, expensive holidays abroad, renovating official residential mansions, and other profligacies, without regard to the feelings and pains of the majority of Nigerians.

Furthermore, the PDP claimed that the APC administration is secretly paying a whopping N5.4 trillion as fuel subsidy for 2024, even after President Tinubu announced an end to fuel subsidy.

The PDP called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally address the nation, announce major policy reviews, and order an investigation into the alleged looting of subsidy and palliative funds.

They also urged the President to review all luxury items and purchases in the APC government and channel the resources for immediate intervention in the provision of food and other essential commodities to Nigerians.

The PDP called on Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding in their pursuit of good governance in the country.

By Uzair Adam

On Thursday afternoon, a young man died after a group of looters broke into a store in Kano.

The store, located in the Sarari Quarters area, was filled with food items like rice, sugar, and flour.

The Daily Reality reliably gathered that the looters overpowered the security guard and started taking things from the store.

When the police arrived, they used teargas and guns to try to stop the looters.

Even so, some looters tried to keep stealing from behind the store. One of them was shot and died.

This happened during a time of unrest in Kano, where there have been reports of looting and damage to property at several places.

 By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared a 24-hour curfew throughout the state, effective immediately, in response to the escalating violence and disruptions that have emerged amid civil demonstrations. 

According to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the decision was made unanimously during an Emergency State Security Council meeting. 

The governor stated that the curfew is necessary to restore order and ensure the safety of communities, following the hijacking of peaceful protests by thugs and hoodlums who engaged in looting, destruction of property, and violence against innocent citizens. 

“The imposition of this curfew is a necessary measure to restore order and ensure the safety of our communities,” said Governor Yusuf.

“It is paramount that we protect our citizens from further harm and preserve the sanctity of our state’s institutions and businesses.” 

The governor called on citizens to remain vigilant and united, saying, “Let us not allow the actions of a few selfish individuals to divide us. Together, we can navigate these challenges and fortify our resolve to build a stronger, more resilient Kano State.” 

All security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure full compliance with the curfew, and citizens are urged to heed this directive for their safety and well-being.

By Uzair Adam

Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has condemned the senseless destruction of the NCC’s Digital Innovation Park in Kano.

The facility, poised for launch next week, was ravaged by fire and looted during the protests on Thursday.

This cutting-edge hub was designed to turbocharge Nigeria’s technical talent accelerator program (3MTT) and host various initiatives, including a buildathon holiday maker program for secondary school kids commencing next week.

Dr. Tijani expressed his dismay on social media, stating, “Devastated to learn that our Digital Innovation Park in Kano, slated for launch next week to supercharge our technical talent accelerator (3MTT), has been reduced to ashes and plundered by protesters.”

The minister stated the devastating impact of this destruction on planned initiatives, saying, “In addition to #3MTT, this facility was set to host our buildathon holiday maker program for secondary school kids starting next week.”

He also lamented the loss, saying, “A staggering amount of resources, worth millions of Naira, have been squandered.”

This incident unfolded amidst widespread unrest in Kano, where protesters targeted the yet-to-be-commissioned NCC Industrial Park.

By Uzair Adam

Security operatives have arrested more than five hoodlums around Audu Bako Way, in Kano State who looted shops and offices around the area under the guise of hardship protest.

Bags of rice, cartons of noodles, bags of salt and sugar, gallons of groundnut oils and furniture were stolen by the hoodlums that broke into shops and offices.

The Daily Reality repoter who went on the field reported that Rufaida Yoghurt shop and Oasis Bakery along Hadejia Road were stormed by the protesters.

The angry youths have looted and stolent properties worth millions of naira.

However, in the course of the arrest, the security operatives were stoned and had to resort to firing teargas to disperse the crowd that wanted to overpower them.

Some of the looters ran into houses around the area with the stolen items which led to the security operatives pursuing them to ensure arrest.

Hundreds of other protesters were also seen chanting we are not thieves, we are protesting to protect our rights on Audu Bako Way, Lodge Road and parts of State Road.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Borno State Government has announced an immediate 24-hour curfew across the state.

This is in response to the tragic detonation of an improvised explosive device in Kawori Market, Konduga area of Borno State on Wednesday night.

The explosion suspected to be carried out by a Boko Haram suicide bomber resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals and critical injuries to several others.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, disclosed this in a Thursday press release obtained by The Daily Reality titled, “Imposition of Curfew,”, the statement noted that the bomb explosion prompted Governor Babagana Zulum, to consult with top security officials before implementing this measure.

According to the statement, the curfew aims to restore law and order and ensure public safety.

It read, “In view of the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security and law enforcement agencies toward the preservation of law and order in the state. You are all aware of the incident that took place at Kawori which was the detonation of an improvised explosive devices ordinance device which led to the death of (16) persons while several others were critically injured and on admission across various Government hospitals in the state.“

In line with our constitutional mandate towards the restoration of law and order his Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum in consultation with heads of security in the state, finds it’s expedient to declare 24hrs curfew in the state with immediate effect.

The PPRO urged residents to stay calm and adhere to the curfew. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

“I, therefore, wish to call upon the good people of Borno State to remain calm and law-abiding. Further developments will be communicated to you accordingly, please,” it concluded.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Protesters gathering at the Government House in Kano State were met with force on Thursday morning as police responded to the escalating demonstration by firing gunshots and teargas. 

The protesters, who had converged from various parts of the city, were participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest against hardship and were expecting Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to address them. 

However, as the protest gained momentum, some individuals among the crowd began assembling tyres and setting them ablaze near the gate, prompting the police to take action. 

According to Daily Trust, security forces at the Government House responded to the situation by firing gunshots and teargas in an attempt to disperse the crowd. 

The nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest is calling for urgent action to address pressing economic concerns, including soaring food inflation, general inflation, and other related issues. 

No reports of casualties or arrests have been made at this time.

The situation remains tense as protesters continue to demand action from the government to address their grievances.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Protesters in Abuja have vowed to continue their demonstrations unless President Bola Tinubu meets their demands, calling on him to “do the needful” and bring an end to the protests.

Speaking to journalists, Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, lamented the prolonged oppression under President Tinubu’s leadership, stating, “Our presence here today is an announcement that we have been oppressed for too long. Today, we have risen.”

Adenola stated that the protesters would remain on the streets until their demands are met, saying, “We are saying to the president that unless President Bola Tinubu accedes to our demands, we will remain on the streets. We want to see the president on the street. During the protest, he was on the street.”

Another leader of the movement, Ayoola Babalola, condemned the show of force around the premises of the Moshood Abiola, calling it “an embarrassment to the nation.”

He vowed that the protesters would not be intimidated, despite the heavy security presence.

The protesters also criticized the various court orders restricting them to particular locations, with Adenola calling them “an aberration.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pledged to strengthen its partnership with the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) to enhance security presence at borderlines across the country.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made this commitment on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, when he received a delegation from the DRDB led by Major General Emmanuel Ndagi. 

Adeniyi stated the importance of leveraging technological advancements to achieve economic growth, stating, “I see a lot of possibilities that will continue to evolve between the Nigeria Customs Service and DRDB in the area of technology because we live in the age of technology now.” 

He highlighted the NCS’s commitment to research and development, saying, “We believe that any organisation that ignores research and developments might be digging its own grave… We have set up a structure devoted to our special intelligence, and a Command and Staff College, where we engage our students in periodic research and operations.” 

Major General Ndagi, Director-General of DRDB, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “Addressing these challenges with compassion and jointly developing technologies that address border security concerns will help us to fortify our border areas.” 

The partnership aims to combat border crimes using geospatial intelligence and coordinate significant operations at border areas across the federation.

By Anwar Usman

Nigeria has over 200 million people from multiethnic and religious backgrounds, which has caused the country to suffer from various uncertainties. The country’s return to democracy in 1999 made the citizens think that a Messiah had come to their aid. Unfortunately, the truth is like the story of Judas, who was said to have betrayed Jesus Christ at Calvary.

Nigerians managed to follow whatever their leaders came up with mindlessly, without thinking of the negative consequences that such a policy would have on them. How do you even expect people who don’t know their democratic and civic rights to think in a way that depicts an environment of literacy? It’s almost impossible!

The imposition of artificial hardship, starvation, insecurity, unemployment, and so on made Nigerians reconsider their thinking and think differently. The only thing that an average Nigerian needs is “food.” Ask anyone, and they will tell you the same. Now, let me ask you (reader) this question: When Nigerians were not hungry, how many times have you heard of any protest/riot, especially in the north? 

No matter what the ruling class would do, an average Nigerian will tell you “Su da Allah” because they are contented and believe that Allah will take charge of that. That was when things were okay. The masses could afford 2/3 square meals daily, and things were readily available, not because Nigerian politicians were not looting.

Now, the devaluation of the Naira and the removal of fuel subsidies worsen Nigeria’s situation. The ruling class does all it feels like without any question from the citizens, even though people were said to be the backbone of democracy.

Experience of what Nigeria is about and how things have been going over decades triggered the situation in Nigeria today. A wealthy person today is bankrupt tomorrow and later becomes a beggar the next day.

The citizens of Nigeria are not violent. They accept whatever is imposed on them wholeheartedly, unlike people in other countries like Sudan, Kenya, etc. Kenyans, for instance, didn’t protest because of the high cost of food—no! It’s because of an additional levy that Nigerians endured over decades.

The only language that people in power understand is to go against their wishes. No government likes to be criticised. They know the sufferings of Nigerians, but all they do is give palliatives, cups of rice, and pasta or disburse N20,000using a random sampling technique.

For instance, the minister of humanitarians alone was accused of misappropriating 826 billion; likewise, the minister of finance, not to mention the CBN Governor and aviation minister, deceived Nigerians with a non-existent Nigerian airline, all during President Muhammadu Buhari. Nothing has been done about that yet.

Now that hunger has started killing people, the cost of living is high, including the devaluation of the Naira, which made people take a U-turn. It’s always said that “a hungry man is an angry man” Nigerians are ready to die! 

If one says the protest wouldn’t bring anything positive, I wonder. Do you want things to continue the way they are till eternity? Do you like our younger ones to continue floating in the streets? What would you feel when you find out that the leaders of tomorrow embrace drugs? These are things that no one can resolve except YOU yourselves! These people don’t care if all our youth would embrace drugs. It’s an added advantage to them; they’ll only use them as thugs during the campaign.

Even if things would worsen due to this protest, let it happen. You must lose something to get something! Even if you’re not ready to die today, hunger might kill you tomorrow. We’ve seen many instances of people being depressed, suffering from hypertension, melancholy and other related disease that were not known before.

The same people who failed to apprehend Boko Haram suspects and left the northern states bloody are what some people are saying we shouldn’t protest against. Nigerians are now refugees. The neighbouring states granted them asylum. Guess what? The government is not ready to do anything. 

Do you think we should continue following these people suffering from Kleptomania? Fold out arms because you’re afraid of something? Look, even if you didn’t protest today due to fear of being killed, insecurity is there for you! And the future of youth and the younger ones is not safe.

If the government is ready to review and listen to the yearning and aspirations of Nigerians and implement the pending policies, including the subsidising of petrol and the Naira that’ll benefit the citizens directly, then the reverse is the case. We can have a dialogue and reach an agreement about what the government ought to do, and in that process, the protest can be suspended. 

We wouldn’t forget our brothers in Katsina and Zamfara who are waiting to either be killed or kidnapped; Something must be done about them, too. If not, mobilisation will continue, and we’re ready to sacrifice our lives for the betterment of future generations.

May Nigerians protest peacefully. May the protest yield a positive outcome, ameen.

Anwar is a Faculty of Communication at Bayero University, Kano student. He can be contacted via usmananwarhassan@gmail.com.