Tragedy struck in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital as one person Thursday was killed and property worth millions set ablaze by ENDSARS protesters.
The incident occurred at the popular Ibom Plaza where the protesters gathered since Monday, making bonfires and barricading the entrance that empties into Wellington Bassey Way and Oron Road in the city.
One of the protesters simply identified as ‘Staky boy’ said trouble started when some protesters prevented Correctional Centre van with some warders from driving past the scene.
He said the driver forced himself into the crowd before he was resisted while one of the warders in the front seat opened fire and shot a protester on the head.
He said the man was rushed to hospital but the driver of the correctional centre van sped off.
“We don’t know why the warder opened fire. Now the guy is dead. From now on, the protest in Akwa Ibom would turn violent,” he threatened.
Our correspondent gathered that the protesters had stationed at the plaza in the past three days from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. blocking motorists from plying the route.
The protesters displayed placards with such different inscriptions as “EndSARS,” “We need restructuring” “End bad governance” and “No more police brutality,” among others.
Meanwhile, the protesters went berserk, razing parts of Choice Supermarket, Ikot Ekpene Road in Uyo and looting property.
From there, the protesters launched attack on Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation at 2 Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, razing vehicles parked in the corporation’s premises, and looted television sets and other valuables.
A management staffer of the corporation who spoke with Straightnews publisher Thursday evening on condition of anonymity confirmed this, stating that “The protesters also set ablaze our security post.”
Further reports have it that the protesters also set ablaze a section of Access Bank, Aka Road, Uyo, destroyed AKISIEC office along Udo Udoma Avenue; Anchor Insurance, Wellington Bassey Way End, Uyo, among others.
