By Tosin Olatokunbo
Barely 24 hours after the minister of state for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo warned that the endSARS protest has become a mob action his driver has been killed in one of the protests in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Already, there are fears that President Muhammadu Buhari may draft soldiers to the street to stop the protesters in days if the mass action continues, but civil society leaders have also warned that such action has the potential of pouring petrol in the already volatile situation.
Some angry protesters, were on Tuesday stopped from marching on the National Assembly by soldiers who also harassed and damaged their equipment.
Keyamo, on Wednesday accused some criminal elements of mixing with genuine protesters to unleash terror on citizens and members of the Nigeria Police Force.
The demand to end police brutality and harassment has spread across the country, as protesters mostly youths, marched on state capitals in the country for the eight day.
Amnesty International, AI said on Tuesday that over 10 Nigerians have been killed in the protest.
But in a tweet on Thursday, the minister disclosed that his driver, Yohanna Shankur lamented that one of his drivers was hit by a vehicle around the Berger area of Abuja.
He said the driver died as a result of the protest by youths against police brutality and extortion in the country.
Kyeamu tweeted, “I regret to announce that my driver, Mr. Yohanna Shankuk, died yesterday in Abuja as a result of the protests.A vehicle that saw advancing protesters at Berger roundabout, made a U-turn, took the one-way back and ran over him as he was making his way on foot to my private office.”
Meanwhile, some Nigerians are already worried that the military could be called in to quell the protest if violence creeps in.
This suggestion came after the Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that it has the duty to keep law and order in the country.
Col Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, said in Abuja that the armed forces cannot hold on for long in the face on public disorder, warning subversive elements not to try the resolve of the nation’s armed forces to maintain peace.
According to Sagir, “The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to reassure law-abiding citizens that it is highly committed to the sustenance of peace, security and defence of democracy in Nigeria.
“As a responsible and law-abiding organisation, the Nigerian Army reaffirms its unalloyed loyalty and commitment to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and the Constitution of the Country.
“The NA hereby warns all subversive elements and trouble makers to desist from such acts as it remains highly committed to defend the country and her democracy at all cost.
“The NA is ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively.
“All officers and men are directed never to be distracted by anti-democratic forces and agents of disunity.”
On Wednesday in Abuja, the protest turned violent after some hoodlums attacked the protesters but were repelled.
At least two protesters were also reported to have died in Lagos after clashing with policemen.
