A physically challenged protester, Hamza Waziri, has accused security operatives attached to the Bauchi State Government House, of assaulting him during the End Bad Governance protest in the state.
A video making the rounds online showed security operatives wrestling with Waziri, who uses a wheelchair.
Speaking to journalists, Waziri, who is the leader of the Initiative for the Liberalisation of Physically Challenged People, explained that he and other PWD individuals were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest near the Government House when they were attacked by security agents.
“I decided to organise this protest to show my displeasure with the current economic situation of the country. In the process, I was doing a live video so one of the policemen came to me and said that I had filmed him and they were trying to grab the phone from me. And they were wrestling with me to grab the phone from my hand and that is how they kept brutalising me. They gave me a couple of punches as you can see from the video,” he said.
“So basically I was very peaceful. There were not more than 10 of us but I was the only one actually standing in front of the Government House just to raise our placards that said ‘Employment should be for all”, “Everybody should be allowed to be employed’, ‘Inclusive Society’
“So that was what our placards were carrying. So that is what basically transpired between us and the securities,” he added.
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, while condemning the actions of the security personnel.
The governor who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the governor of the state, Mukhtar Gidado, assured the public that the officers involved will be held accountable if found to have acted improperly.
“Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident involving a person with a disability and security personnel at the government house,” the statement read.
“The incident, which occurred on August 1, 2024, during the #EndBadGovernance protest, was captured in a viral video and has sparked widespread concern
“Governor Bala Mohammed has made it clear that the welfare and rights of all citizens, especially vulnerable groups, remain his top priority.
“He directed a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident and ensure that justice is served.”
The government appealed to the residents of the state in particular and Nigerians in general to remain calm and abide by all rules and regulations during and after the demonstration.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
