Tensions heightened in Abuja on Thursday as some of the hardship protesters were sighted burning tyres on the road around the Jikweyi-Kurudu-Karshi suburbs of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The bonfires forced many drivers plying the route to suddenly make detours, while others reversed their vehicles to the direction they were driving from to avoid skirmish.
The NETWORK reports that a similar scenario was observed in the opposite direction as tricycle riders were seen running away from potential danger.
Policemen stationed at the district police station along Kurudu, opposite the Post Service Housing Estate, were seen on red alert with their teargas and canisters handy.
Some of the residents who were mostly from the local community were sighted watching from a distance as police operatives arrived at the scene.
Meanwhile, the Karshi-Nyanya- AYA road, which is usually characterized by heavy traffic in the early hours of the day, was deserted on Thursday as the planned nationwide protests commenced.
Crowds of commuters were stranded at the adjoining bus stops with no hope of getting means of transportation to their respective destinations.
Also, it was observed that most civil servants and traders stayed back home for fear of outbreak of violence.
The demonstrations started in the early hours of Thursday August 1 with protesters around the Abuja City Centre confined to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, following a late night court order.
At the major military checkpoint situated in the Kugbo area along Abuja–Keffi expressway, a heavily armed lone soldier was sighted checking the few vehicles on the deserted road.
At the Fire Service end, as well as the Supreme Court gates of the road that leads to the Presidential Villa in Asokoro, there was huge security presence including soldiers, policemen and DSS operatives who checked commuters and vehicles accessing the area.
Credit, except adjusted headline: THE NETWORK.
