One the first day of hunger protests in Bauchi state, security operatives at the Government House gate were filmed wrestling with Hamza Waziri, a leader of the Initiative for the Liberalisation of Physically Challenged People. Waziri, who uses a wheelchair, was peacefully demonstrating with other physically challenged individuals when the security officials confronted them.
In an interview, Waziri explained that he organized the protest to express his discontent with the country’s economic situation and emphasize the need for inclusive employment opportunities. The incident, which occurred during the #EndBadGovernance protest, caught the attention of Governor Bala Mohammed, who ordered a thorough investigation.
The governor’s office condemned the actions of the security personnel and promised accountability for any misconduct. They reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding the rights of all citizens, especially vulnerable groups. Human rights groups and advocates for people with disabilities have called for swift action in response to the incident.