PWD Protester Allegedly Assaulted by Security Operatives in Bauchi

Security operatives stationed at the Bauchi Government House have come under scrutiny for allegedly assaulting Hamza Waziri, a leader of the Initiative for the Liberalisation of Physically Challenged People, during a peaceful protest on the first day of a hunger strike.

A video circulating on social media shows the moment security personnel at the Government House forcibly wrestled with Waziri, who uses a wheelchair.

In an interview with our correspondent, Waziri described the incident, stating that he and other physically challenged individuals were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful demonstration when they were confronted by security officers.

“I organized this protest to express my dissatisfaction with the current economic situation in the country,” Waziri said. “I was filming a live video when one of the police officers approached me, accusing me of filming him. They tried to snatch the phone from my hand, and in the process, they started brutalizing me. As you can see from the video, I was punched several times.”

Waziri emphasized the peaceful nature of the protest, noting, “There were not more than ten of us. I was the only one standing directly in front of the Government House, holding placards that read, ‘Employment should be for all’, ‘Everybody should be allowed to be employed’, and ‘Inclusive Society’.”

In response to the incident, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Bauchi State Governor, Mukhtar Gidado, issued a press release stating that Governor Bala Mohammed has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.

“The incident, which took place on August 1, 2024, during the #EndBadGovernance protest, was captured in a viral video and has raised significant concerns,” Gidado stated.

The state government condemned the actions of the security personnel involved, assuring the public that those responsible would be held accountable if found guilty of misconduct. “Governor Bala Mohammed has made it clear that the welfare and rights of all citizens, especially vulnerable groups, are his top priority,” the statement read.

The government urged the public to remain calm and to adhere to all laws and regulations during and after the demonstration, reaffirming the governor’s commitment to upholding justice, fairness, and respect for human rights.

The incident has sparked outrage among human rights groups and advocates for people with disabilities, who are calling for swift action against the security officers involved.