#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters arrested, released in Calabar

Some group of youths who joined the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest in Calabar were intercepted and arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force in league with other mobilized state security agencies but have been released and warned to desist from continuing in the nation-wide protest.

The protest which started on Thursday August 1st2024 nationwide began from the Freedom Park by Mary Slessor round about and caravanned through Marian Road by Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

Spokes person of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), DSP Irene Ugbo stated this in a news broadcast on Hit 95.9FM, a private Radio station in Calabar.

Prior to the commencement of the protest, the Governor Bassey Edet Otu had appealed to residents to shun the protest and join hands instead with the government to actualize the people first mantra of his administration through people oriented programmes and activities to cushion hardship and hunger occasioned by fuel subsidy removal and floating of naira.

Earlier in the wake of the protest on Thursday August 1st2024, the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Pius Edet Ankpo appealed to the teaming angry youths in the state who are irked by the current realities to sheath their swords and embrace peace by dialoging with the government to resolve the aggrieved issues.

Also, in a chat with newsmen at a town hall meeting held at Ikang on Wednesday July 31st 2024, Hon. Eyo Bassey Edet, the member representing Bakassi State Constituency in Cross River State House of Assembly has appealed to youths in the local government to shun the protest reminding them of the damages suffered during the last EndSARS protest. He warned them of the negative effects of embarking on the protest while enjoining them to channel their energy towards the development of the state.

The former Secretary of Bakassi Local Government Area thanked them for honouring the invitation as the youths assured him of their resolve not to turn violent in their peaceful protest.

As at the time of filing this report business and other commercial activities in the state was in its low as markets remained closed with few commercial vehicles plying the routes and streets in the city of Calabar that forced commuters to trek long distances to their destinations

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)