Police shoot at journalists (2).jpg
In Abuja, security agents fired live bullets at journalists covering the #EndBadGovernance protests, causing panic. The journalists refused police orders to enter the stadium, arguing the protest was outside. Protesters were also dispersed with tear gas, expressing distrust in the security forces.

Security agents in balaclavas fired live ammunition at journalists in Abuja on Saturday, causing panic and chaos. The incident occurred shortly after noon when agents, dressed in black uniforms, arrived in a convoy of six Sienna vehicles at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. They immediately aimed their weapons at journalists, who scrambled for safety in nearby vehicles.

A deep blue Toyota Corolla carrying reporters from Peoples Gazette and Premium Times was struck by three bullets, while the rear windshield of another Toyota Sienna transporting journalists from The Punch and The Cable was shattered by gunfire.

The journalists had positioned themselves outside the stadium, refusing police orders to enter, as the protest they were covering was taking place outside the facility. For the past two days, protesters have been denied access to the stadium, gathering instead in front of it. The reporters chose to remain outside to cover the activities rather than be confined to an empty stadium.

The shooting incident followed the dispersal of protesters with tear gas. Demonstrators, distrustful of the security officers, feared being trapped inside the stadium with limited escape routes. One protester remarked that the security agents were able to intimidate them because their numbers were low that day.

The protests, which began on August 1, are set to last for 10 days. Demonstrators are expressing their dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing policies that have driven inflation to record highs and plunged many families into extreme poverty.