The nationwide hardship/hunger protest — slated for Thursday, August 1 to Saturday, August 10, 2024 — is organised by Nigerians frustrated with the country’s worsening economic conditions and high cost of living. In response, the government has taken several measures, including the deployment of hundreds of police officers in Abuja and other states to maintain order and prevent potential violence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Human rights groups have criticised attempts to halt the protests, emphasising the importance of protecting peaceful demonstrations.
The protests have sparked widespread anxiety among government officials, who are concerned about the potential for unrest and are urging for patience and constructive dialogue to address the issues.
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Protest in Nigeria today: Police restore peace at Lekki
After firing tear gas at protesters, mobile policemen deployed at the Admiralty Lekki Phase 1 Toll Gate in Lagos state have restored normalcy, This Day reported.
Many shops, supermarkets, malls and banks in the area were closed for business while very few eateries including restaurants opened to customers.
Nigeria protest: 6 protesters reportedly shot dead in Niger state
No fewer than six protesters have been reportedly killed while some sustained injuries in Suleja, Niger state.
The tragic incident occurred as security operatives dislodged protesters who mounted barricades on a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
Hardship protest: Death recorded in Kaduna
The protest against alleged bad governance has turned tragic in Kaduna state, leaving at least one person dead.
Vanguard noted the update on Thursday afternoon, August 1.
Lagos: Protesters clash in Ojota
There was a face-off between those protesting against the economic hardship and some individuals siding with the government.
The clash happened at Ojota, one of the approved venues in Lagos state for the demonstration.
Channels Television shared a video of the quarrel.
Nigerian protests: Kano agitators vandalise public facility
Some protesters in Kano state destroyed traffic lights.
Kano-born Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential aide, shared a video on X showing two of the vandals on Thursday, August 1.
‘Hardship protest’ in Ibadan Oyo state today
Dozens of youths under the umbrella of Oyo State Coalition Against Hardship joined protests against hardship in Ibadan, the state’s capital on Thursday, August 1.
As reported by Leadership newspaper, the protest, led by Comrade Akeem Lawal, popularly called ‘Aluta’, took off from Iwo Road at 8:45 am.
So far, the protest has been peaceful.
Protest in Nigeria today: Kaduna youths turn out
Youths turned out in parts of Kaduna state to join the ‘End Bad Governance’ protest.
In Tudun Wada, the demonstrators marched on the streets.
National protests: Deji Adeyanju tackles police commissioner
Lawyer and human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, traded words with the commissioner of police in the FCT, Benneth Igweh, on the order by a high court in Abuja that restricted protesters to the National Stadium, Abuja.
Adeyanju emphasised that the order did not explicitly state if protesters were to gather inside or outside the National Stadium.
Watch the video as shared by Arise News:
Protest in Nigeria today: Demonstration recorded in Rivers
‘End Bad Governance’ protesters surfaced in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, on Thursday, August 1.
Per a clip by AIT, the protesters ditched the new national anthem and sang the old chant.
Protest in Nigeria: Kano protesters join demonstration
Some protesters hit the streets in the colossal northern state of Kano on Thursday morning, August 1.
Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), a civil society organisation (CSO), shared a clip on its known X page showing the demonstrators.
VIDEO: Lagos protesters mobilising at Ikeja
Pro-government protesters converge in Alausa, Lagos
Pro-government protesters have converged in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, ahead of their rally.
According to pictures from The Cable, the pro-government supporters are preaching against violent protests.
Abuja protest to start from Eagle Square
A social media post by Abiodun Sanusi, a journalist and member of the ‘Take It Back’ movement, said Abuja protesters would converge at the Eagle Square.
Sanusi wrote on X:
“As Nigerians unite for accountability, transparency, an end to the pervasive issues of bad governance plaguing our nation, Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s government, join us at the Eagle Square in Abuja to #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.”
Sanwo Olu speaks on claims protesters want to overthrow Tinubu
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, has described some narratives suggesting that the planned nationwide protest in August is a ploy to overthrow the Bola Tinubu government as “troubling”.
In an address on Wednesday evening, July 31, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that while the intentions of the organisers may be noble, even peaceful events can turn violent without warning.
Protest in Nigeria: Police detonate explosive device in Lagos
On the eve of the protest, the Lagos police command anti-bomb squad reportedly deactivated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Ikeja area of the state.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson of the Nigeria police force (NPF), said the device, which was wrapped in a bag, was dropped by the roadside from an unregistered vehicle along Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.
Protest in Nigeria August 2024: What’s the latest?
Police operatives are ready to provide adequate protection for peaceful and lawful protesters in Nigerian states.
Security agents acknowledged the right of the citizens to engage in peaceful protest but warned that it must not turn violent.
Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), also cautioned against spreading fake news.