By Williams Anuku, Abuja
Following an attempt by hoodlums to hijack the #EndSARS protest in Dutsen-Alhaji area of Bwari Area Council in Abuja, on Tuesday, no fewer than six persons have been confirmed dead.
One of the victims was said to have been among a group of people who attacked the #EndSARS protesters, the identity of his killers was not known, but five other people were reportedly killed by security operatives.
The development, led to the Police post in the area razed down by irate youths, causing panic in the area.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the FCT Command, Mariam Yusuf, however, did not immediately respond to media inquiries as she neither picked her calls nor replied to the text message sent to her phone.
An eyewitness accused security operatives of turning a blind eye to attacks by hoodlums while swooping on #EndSARS protesters.
Earlier in the day, there was tension in some parts of Sokale and FO1 areas of Kubwa on Tuesday morning following an invasion by soldiers who fired sporadically into the air to disperse some #EndSARS protesters who had gathered to begin the day’s protest.
While passers-by scampered for safety, residents who were still in their houses immediately shut their doors and windows even as motorists on the Bwari-Dutse Alhaji road became stranded due to the ensuing gridlock on the route.
The protesters had erected a barricade at the Sokale roundabout area and Winners road and had begun settling into the protest before the invasion by soldiers in three trucks.
While some hoodlums also took over some parts of the Apo Mechanic village, attacking motorists and attempting to loot some shops in the area.
The hoodlums who had earlier attacked #EndSARS protesters the previous day were said to have mobilised to the area on Tuesday morning to halt the peaceful protest against police brutality.