Teenager shot in Kaduna, Labour suspends street protests

Labour and civil society groups in Kaduna on Tuesday suspended street demonstrations after a teenager was shot by the police during the ongoing protest against fuel subsidy removal.

The unidentified teenager was shot around the Old Panteka in the Tundun Wada area of the state capital.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the teenager was shot by a policeman when some demonstrators allegedly attempted to seize his gun.

Our correspondent learnt that the teenager, who was immediately rushed to the Nigerian Army 44 Reference Hospital, Kaduna had been responding to treatment.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State Command, Aminu Lawan, however, said he was not aware of the incident.

Lawan, a deputy Superintendent of Police, told our correspondent on the telephone the incident would be investigated when reported to the Police.

As a result of the incident, Labour and the coalition of civil society groups in the state suspended street demonstrations.

The Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and the Nigerian Bar Association said the people of the state should henceforth observe a sit-at-home strike.

Despite this, Kaduna remained blocked on Tuesday by thousands of demonstrators, including women and children.

For the second day running they besieged the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House where the Governor office is.

But the situation in the southern part of Kaduna was different as residents in the area stayed indoors. Shops and other businesses in the area remained closed and the streets deserted.

Our correspondent learnt that the decision to suspend street protests was also because of Monday’s clash between security operatives and some demonstrators, who vandalised Governor Patrick Yakowa’s billboards and attempted to storm the Government House.

NLC Chairman, Kaduna State, Adamu Ango, said the coalition would keep the people of the state abreast of developments about the strike.

Ango stressed that the strike began on a peaceful note and would not want it to end in violence.

He said, “We don’t want a breakdown of law and order in the state and that is why we decided to suspend street protests for now.

“We have met at the level of NLC and other civil society groups and the NBA and we have agreed to suspend street protests.”