A conservative estimate has shown that properties worth N2 billion may have been lost? to last Wednesday’s violent protest in parts of? the Niger State capital,? Minna in the ongoing nationwide protest against the removal of subsidy on petrol.
The protest saw? government and private properties set ablaze including the? Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)office in the state. Investigation revealed that government? lost? no fewer than 12 vehicles which were razed? to ashes, while additional 10 others were seriously? vandalised.
LEADERSHIP observed that? most of the round-about in Minna, and other beautification projects like street lights executed by the government were also destroyed in what seems like a grievance against the administration of Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu.
All? the installations in the popular Murtala Amusement Park were either burnt or destroyed beyond repairs by the protesters who were also chanting the slogan against the government for its high handedness in the state.
Another building which also? served as the campaign office of? incumbent Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, in the 2011 governorship election which belonged to a Lagos-based businessman, Aliyu Maka, located at the popular Mobil filling station round-about, along Bosso road, Minna,? was not only set ablaze but all the fittings and property in it were stolen.
A security source told LEADERSHIP that, “The protest is not against the removal of fuel subsidy, this is pure attack on the government of the state hence they aimed their attack on the governor’s campaign office. I am telling that conservative estimate may see over N2billion being lost.”
Meanwhile the AIG in charge of Zone 7, Atiku Kafur,? told Journalists over the weekend that?? 212 persons were arrested in connection with the protest leading to destruction of properties, but exonerated labour from the destruction saying that it was political.