By Blessing Ibegbu
HOODLUMS on Thursday hijacked the protest, stole and destroyed property in Mararaba under Karu LGA of Nasarawa State, bordering Nyanya, FCT.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters gathered at the popular Mararaba Junction down to Masaka Junction, for the protest.
NAN also reports that while the protest was ongoing, some hoodlums invaded the scenes, hitting cars and destroying some cars, snatching phones from residents and fellow protesters.
NAN further reports that some of the hoodlums disguised as protesters to invade “Ibiza Lounge, One Man Village, Karu, attacked and stole property of those that worked and lounged there.
Mr John Okafor, an eye witness told NAN, that the hoodlums jumped through the fence into the lounge, beat, collected phones and valuables from staff members and guests.
Okafor said that the hoodlums went ahead to destroy more than three cars at a car shop.
Some of the protesters, who spoke with NAN expressed optimism over the protest and at the same time noted that their lives and property would be at stake if the security agents did not intervene.
Abubakar Kabir, a businessman at Mararaba Market, said he was in support of the protest, but looking at happenings around Mararaba, ‘I doubt if it will end well”.
He added that he didn’t plan to open his shop around the plaza at the junction, but was called upon by his neighbour to come and secure his goods.
Mrs Joy Timothy, a resident, said she thought it would be a peaceful protest and decided to go to Abacha road, Mararaba but the motorcycle she entered was stopped from going further.
She said seeing touts everywhere with placards scared her more because she could not bring out her phone since people’s phones were snatched in the amidst of the protest.
Similarly, Matthew Salau, a shop owner expressed fear as many hoodlums were hitting on shops and snatching phones.
All shops, plazas and businesses along the Mararaba to Masaka axis were under locks and keys with most of the shop owners standing in front or around their shops.
Security agents were seen along the roads trying to see that the situation did not escalate further.
NAN also reports that, however, in One-man Village, security agents were not sighted. (NAN)
