Atleast, 7 people have been confirmed dead as Dangote Sugar Plc in Gyawana, Adamawa State, deployed soldiers to disperse protesting community residents. Seven people were killed.
Daily Global Newspapers Nigeria understands that the soldiers opened fire on the protesters around 5:00 p.m. after they kicked against Daniel, a staff member, being promoted to the position of community relations manager.
The youngsters were claimed to have protested against Mr Daniel, who is from Numan, a Christian village in the state, and requested that the position be filled by a worker from Giwana.
“A staff member from Numan, Daniel, was promoted to the position of community relations manager. But the community wants someone from Giwana,” the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity in accordance with The Gazette’s stance on anonymous sources.
Following that, the firm, owned by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, dispatched soldiers to disperse the demonstrators.
“As a result, the neighborhood complained, and the firm dispatched soldiers to drive them away. “As a result, the soldiers opened fire,” he claimed.
The troops were claimed to have arrived at the company in Hilux vans after leaving their duty station at Numan Bridge.
Tony Chiejina, a Dangote Group spokesperson, did not respond to The Gazette’s request for comment on the incident.
Suleiman Nguroje, a spokeswoman for the state police command, said five people were injured and that seven people were killed in the incident.
“It is not accurate that seven people were killed; there was no demonstration; there was a confrontation between management and the hosting community, and it all happened yesterday,” Mr Nguroje told The Gazette over the phone.
He stated that armed youngsters stormed the company’s employees quarters and demanded that they leave until certain criteria were met.
“As a result, the command later dispatched its operatives to investigate how they might avert any bloodshed. Later that evening, between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., the same group of allegedly armed guys entered.
“However, prior to that time, there were several security sister agencies that were stationed throughout the country. As a result, there was confusion, and the leadership received a report that five persons were injured while dispersing them,” he continued.
When asked if soldiers were there during the event, Mr Nguroje stated, “That is why I said sister security agencies were there,” adding that “no one person died and the CP has now requested that an investigation be conducted.”
HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT “THE SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL, AND FIVE PEOPLE WHO WERE ALLEGEDLY INJURED ARE PRESENTLY UNDERGOING TREATMENT AT THE CLINIC.”
