*Hundreds of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters hit the streets across the West African country Thursday, August 1, 2024, to register their displeasure over the current economic hardship in Nigeria, unleashing violence while leaving in their trail wanton destruction of lives and property in several areas of Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Bauchi and Kaduna states, among others

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

As scores of protesters hit the streets in Nigeria to register their displeasure over the current high food inflation, soaring costs of petroleum products and other commodities, security operatives, including the Nigeria Police Thursday, August 1, 2024, fired tear gas canisters at rioters in Abuja, FCT, as well as Lagos, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Kano states, among others in the Federation.

It was gathered that the security operatives applied the 鈥榤inimum force鈥� as a measure to break up the ranks of several hundred protesters in Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, in Northern Nigeria, and in Abuja, where demonstrators had joined in nationwide rallies tagged, #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria on the social media against the high cost of living in the West African country.

Arson in Yobe State

Nigeria as Africa鈥檚 most populous country is struggling with soaring inflation and dwindling value Naira after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ended a costly and controversial fuel subsidy regime, and liberalised the currency over a year ago to improve the economy.

The organisers of the nationwide protest, including the 鈥楾ake It Back鈥� movement, reportedly won support for the action with an online campaign.

According to the protest organisers, the nationwide demonstration against economic hardship, which started Thursday, August 1, is scheduled to extend till August 10 across all states of the Federation, and Abuja.

Protesters burn 7 buses at LG secretariat in Yobe State

As the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria nationwide protest kicked off Thursday, in the North-East state, angry protesters reportedly burnt seven mass transit buses in Potiskum, on the premises of the headquarters of Potiskum Local Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State.

However, security personnel quickly prevented some persons who came in their numbers to cause more mayhem, according to report.

The Dungus Abdulkarim, Spokesman for the Yobe State Police Command, who confirmed the incident in Potiskum, said the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

Rioters torch NCC鈥檚 digital newly-constructed entrepreneurship centre in Kano

As the rampaging #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters turned violent Thursday, August 1, the rioters torched a section of the completed but yet-to-be-commissioned Digital Industrial Park (DIP) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), located in Kano State, Northern Nigeria.

Salma Dogo, Kano State Commissioner of Police, in a telephone interview Thursday disclosed that the protesters set ablaze the generator house, vandalised the DIP office complex, and looted several digital equipment and other property, agency report said.

Protesters attacked, looted equipment at NCC’s yet-to-be-commissioned Digital Industrial Park, in Kano State

绿帽献妻 also learnt that the protest, which started as 鈥渁 peaceful demonstration鈥� against the current economic hardship in Nigeria, is fast taking violent turn in several cities across the country.

Besides the NCC鈥檚 ICT Centre, the civil unrest also extended to parts of the Audu Bako Secretariat, including the state high courts, which the protesters looted and set on fire.

The rioting youths equally attacked other establishments, such as supermarkets and mosques in Kano City.

In several areas, protesters have also clashed with security forces, leading to casualties and widespread damage to public and private property as of Thursday, August 1.

Narrating the scenario at the DIP facility Thursday, in Kano, eye-witnesses described scenes at the ICT centre as 鈥渃haotic鈥�, as where protesters were seen carting away desktop computers, chairs, keyboards, and other valuable appliances before setting the Park on fire, report noted.

Why we defy appeals to shelve nationwide demonstrations: Protesters

Citing hunger and attendant economic pain among several consumers, protest leaders described as 鈥渁 loose coalition of civil society groups鈥�, had vowed to go ahead with rallies despite what they say were legal challenges trying to limit them to public parks and stadiums instead of marches in Nigeria.

A 24-year-old demonstrator, Asamau Peace Adams, outside the National Stadium in Abuja, before teargas was fired, reportedly said: 鈥淗unger has brought me out to protest鈥�. It鈥檚 all down to bad governance.鈥�

Other small groups of protesters also gathered in Kano, an AFP correspondent said, before they started to vandalise signposts and try to light fires.

Jite Omoze, 38, a factory worker, said: 鈥淲e are hungry 鈥� even the Police are hungry; the army are hungry.

鈥淚 have two children and a wife but I can鈥檛 feed them anymore,鈥� calling for the government to reduce fuel prices, Channels TV report said.

Stakeholders鈥� efforts at stopping the nationwide protest

绿帽献妻 reports the Federal Government of Nigeria, several State Governors, traditional rulers, opinion leaders, and students鈥� leaders in tertiary institutions of learning, however, had earlier urged the organisers of the protest, and Nigerians to shelve the protest.

Millions of other Nigerian consumers have equally expressed worries over potential dangers in the demonstrations in view of insecurity around protests with no known leaders.

They also encouraged the citizenry, particularly the youths, to exercise patience with the current administration in its efforts at improving the Nigerian economy.

Officials also warned protesters against attempts to copy recent violent demonstrations in Kenya, where the government of the North African country was forced to abandon new taxes following fierce uproars.

As regards the need to cooperate with the government of in resolving the social economic issues in the country, Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Federation of Government (SGF) Wednesday, July 31, told reporters, in Abuja, that 鈥渢he government of President Tinubu recognises the right to peaceful protest, but circumspection and vigilance should be our watch words.鈥�

Similarly, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister for Information and National Orientation, Monday, July 29 said as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration鈥檚 initiatives to ease off living conditions for Nigerians, the Federal Government had announced the creation of designated centres across the country, where consumers can purchase a 50kg bag of rice for N40,000.

Idris disclosed this development while briefing the State House Correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Tinubu, Monday, July 29, 2024, in the State House, Abuja.

The Minister noted the low-priced rice initiative is part of the Tinubu administration鈥檚 several initiatives designed to mitigate the current economic challenges for the citizenry.

Government already attending to needs of protest organisers, says Minister

Idris also argued that there is no longer a need for the nationwide 鈥渉unger protest鈥� since President Tinubu is already attending to the needs of the protest organisers in the country.

He further stated: 鈥淭he position of the FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the Federal Government and, therefore, it is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again.

鈥淢ost of the things that the protesters are putting forward are already being addressed by the government. And like we have said repeatedly, this is a listening government.

鈥淭he President has listened to the voices of all planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it. Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by doing what they want the government to do.鈥�

He equally referenced the recent government鈥檚 efforts with the deployment of 740 trucks of grains to states of the Federation, and now the announcement of 50kg bags of rice could be purchased for N40,000 at designated centres nationwide.

Idris said, 鈥淔or example, at the last Council meeting, we announced that 20 trucks had been given to each state governor for onward distribution to those who actually needed them, to the poorest of the poor in society.

鈥淏ut the government did not stop. Rice is also being sold at about 50 percent of its cost; a bag of rice is being sold as we speak.鈥�

In the same vein, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Inspector-General of Police, in a move to urge the protest organisers to maintain public order across Nigeria, Tuesday, July 30, held a virtual meeting with Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), and other key members of the 鈥楾ake It Back Movement鈥�.

The Police Force Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT, stated Egbetokun had held the meeting 鈥渋n light of the planned nationwide protest as part of the Nigeria Police Force鈥檚 efforts aimed at ensuring the safety and security of all citizens while upholding the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.鈥�

The Force Headquarters said: 鈥淒uring the meeting, the IGP emphasised the importance of maintaining public order and safety during the planned protests.鈥�

鈥淗e (Egbetokun) acknowledged the group鈥檚 right to express their concerns through peaceful protests and reiterated the Police Force鈥檚 duty to facilitate such rights within the bounds of the law.

鈥淭he IGP has advised the Take It Back Movement, who have indicated their interest to protest, to engage with the respective State Police Commissioners to coordinate and plan the protests in a manner that ensures the safety of participants and the general public.鈥�

The Police authorities also disclosed Egbetokun said the directive was also 鈥渢o pre-empt any security challenges and ensuring that the protests proceed peacefully.鈥�

Police against 鈥榰nplanned open and unnecessary processions鈥� 鈹�IGP

The Police authorities Wednesday further stated: 鈥淎dditionally, the IGP strongly advised against unplanned open and unnecessary processions due to the potential dangers they pose.

鈥淗e stressed that organising and coordinating with the Police and other security agencies are essential steps to mitigate risks, protect the rights of all citizens, and protect the well-being of all involved.鈥�

The statement added: 鈥淭he Inspector-General of Police while reiterating that the Force remains dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizens and ensuring that all public gatherings are conducted safely and securely, calls on stakeholders to work together to foster a peaceful and secure environment during the planned protests.鈥�

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