From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Tensions escalated in Nasarawa, yesterday, as an army truck, carrying armed soldiers, ran through a group of protesters and injured three.
The incident occurred during a demonstration that began at the city gate of Welcome to Lafia at about 11:30am, yesterday.
As the protest moved towards the Stadium Junction, a few kilometres from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat, the army vehicle ran into the crowd.
Keffas Tigga, convener of the protest, expressed dismay over the military’s actions, highlighting that three elderly women sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital, while others were visibly shaken.
Tigga decried the situation, stating, “what kind of country is this? Nasarawa belongs to all of us, and we must protect this mandate. Our mothers, children, and widows are here, and the military will just appear and run through them.”
Asserting their unwavering resolve, James Alu, the group’s leader, said they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their cause, and vowed to continue the protest until justice prevailed, even if it meant risking their lives. A widow, Gambo Baba, lamented the ill-treatment they faced. “They are beating us like kids, and we will not relent. We know who we voted for; it is David Ombugadu, and we want him to be returned.”
Another protester, Juliana Abimuku, shared her story of hardship and underscored Ombugadu’s significance to their lives.
“I am a farmer, my children are farmers now, my husband is late, and no one cares about us. But Ombugadu is the one that is caring for us now,” she said.
The scene remained tense in Nasarawa as protesters continued their call for justice.
Undeterred, they continued with the protest and pleaded for assistance and support from influential figures to aid their cause for electoral justice and protection of democratic rights.