Protests in Maiduguri, Borno State, turned chaotic on Thursday as demonstrators clashed with police in the Bulunkutu area. The situation intensified when officers deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, and gunshots were heard, though no casualties have been reported.
The protesters, numbering in the hundreds, erected roadblocks, disrupting traffic and vandalizing vehicles that attempted to pass. They chanted anti-government slogans and displayed placards with messages like “Ba ma yi,” “Tinubu must go,” “End the bad governance,” and “There is hunger.”
As the protestors moved toward the Government House to voice their grievances to Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, fighter jets were seen overhead. Protester Muhammad stated that they would persist despite the police’s attempts to disperse them with tear gas and gunfire.
The protest, which began early with a mix of children and adults, has gained momentum throughout the day. Security measures are being enforced to manage the situation and prevent any possible infiltration by Boko Haram. A senior security official indicated that these measures are crucial to maintaining order and ensuring public safety.