*Economy bleeds, as continued anti-Police demonstrations cost economy N700billion, says LCCI

*Violence is part of government鈥檚 strategy to frighten the people, deter further demonstrations 鈹�Activist Aisha Yesufu

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

In what originally started as peaceful march protests against Police brutality, intimation, and undue suppression of human rights, the continued #EndSARS demonstrations apparently, are fast becoming violent just as they are taking an overbearing toll on the country鈥檚 fledgling economy yet reeling from the negative impacts of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

绿帽献妻 reports the demonstrations appear to have held government at all levels and Police authorities to account besides their adverse effects on individuals, businesses and organisations thus far.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), in a statement, has disclosed that the protests have also cost the country estimated whopping N700billion (about US$1.8billion) in lost productivity in the past weeks.

The group, however, urged authorities to address protesters鈥� grievances through dialogue, towards an end to the sustained series of marches, street blockades, and in certain instance outright vandalism of property in some parts of the country.

The LCCI statement reads in part: 鈥淥ver the past 12 days, economic activities have been crippled in most parts of the country.

鈥淭here is a great risk that the situation may degenerate into a case of the complete breakdown of law and order.鈥�

Cars burnt in Kabusa area of Apo Mechanic Village, Abuja, FCT

Recall that the nationwide protests, which commenced October 15, 2020, have continued despite the government鈥檚 meeting some demands, including the dissolution of the hitherto infamous Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a Nigeria Police unit that鈥檚 borne the brunt of the brutality allegations over the years.

Fundamentally, the protesters are demanding good governance, an end to brutality, intimidation, and denial of human rights by operatives of SARS, and an outright scrapping of both SARS and the newly established Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).

In the process, several thousands of mostly the young population have taken to the streets of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos as the economic hub, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Benue, Plateau, and several and cities and towns.

Besides physical injuries to individuals, and deaths of about 13 others, including a serving Minister鈥檚 personal driver, anti-Police protesters were said to have sealed off major roads, including the ever-busy Lagos鈹�Ibadan Expressway in the South-West, barricade of the Lagos State Government Secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja, as well as bridges, disrupting flights and bringing many businesses to a standstill as of mid-day Tuesday, October 20.

Barricade of the Lagos State Government Secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja聽 聽Photo: Channels TV

Report also indicates that commercial activities at the country鈥檚 Lagos Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports were grounded Tuesday morning after #EndSARS protesters took over the two major access roads to the seaports.

It was learnt the protests were, however, peaceful as protesters danced to different music played by DJs hired by the group to entertain the crowd.

In Abuja, several properties and vehicles were destroyed, as hoodlums reportedly disrupted #EndSARS peaceful protests in the capital city Monday, October 19.

It was gathered that pandemonium broke out when a group of people attacked some of the protesters and destroyed properties in the Kabusa area of Apo Mechanic Village, Abuja.

Shops, vehicles, houses, and anything else the hoodlums could lay their hands on were not spared by the fracas, according to reports.

The situation had some protesters running for safety while others stood their grounds as much as they could.

Likewise in Benue State, in the Middle Belt of the country, as #EndSARS protesters shut down socio-economic activities at the Benue State Government House.

They called for an end to Police brutality, bad governance, unemployment, insecurity, among other demands.

Mr. Peter Msughter, leader of the protesters, while speaking to the Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, on behalf of the youths revealed that he is concerned about Nigeria鈥檚 future, which has led to the outcry of the youths for their safety.

In his response, Ortom commended the peaceful conduct of the protest.

The governor admitted that Nigeria as a nation needs restructuring and the Federal Government should address the grievances listed by the youths.

Hoodlums damaged Headquarters of Jaiz Bank, in Jos, Plateau State

Hoodlums also damaged the headquarters of Jaiz Bank, in Plateau State, among structures in Jos, the state capital, Tuesday morning during unrest on Ahmadu Bello Way.

A deployment of regular and Mobile Police has since been drafted to quell the crisis that erupted on Tuesday morning.

The crisis started after a group of youths barricaded Ahmadu Bello Way, blocking off traffic.

And another set of youths disagreed to the barricade, sparking unrest, and many cars were smashed and burnt, and shops destroyed. Businesses in the area closed to avert destruction, report said.

Nigeria鈥檚 oil industry, which is Africa鈥檚 biggest and is the mainstay of the economy, has been unaffected and yields on the nation鈥檚 Dollar bonds have ticked up since they began, indicating that investors aren鈥檛 unduly concerned.

Mosope Arubayi, Chief Economist at Vetiva Capital, in Lagos, said: 鈥淭he fallout will worsen if the unrest drags on and violence that has erupted in recent days intensifies.

鈥淟ocals could be scared to go to work and foreigners will fear for the security of their investment.

鈥淭his will have a dire impact on the level of economic activity in the country and existing foreign investors could start exiting their position in the capital market.鈥�

In respect of the government鈥檚 response to the crisis in Abuja, three people were reportedly killed during clashes that erupted during a march Monday, bringing the total killed so far to 18, according to a human-rights group in a tweet.

Aisha Yesufu, an activist, said the violence was part of a government strategy to deter further demonstrations.

Yesufu stated that 鈥渋t is the modus operandi of the government and they get away with it because people are frightened.鈥�

Others have equally alleged that most previous uprisings in Nigeria have been quashed by the security forces.

However, it is believed that scope of the current anti-Police protests highlights the fact that they have been organised on social media, and have no clear-cut leaders, making them demonstrations somewhat difficult to quell.

Songhai Advisory, a Lagos-based risk advisory firm, said in a note to clients that 鈥渃ommunication between the two sides (government and protesters) will likely continue to be strained, given a lack of trust in the government.鈥�

The company, nonetheless, warned that Police reforms would face legal and fiscal constraints, with the nation鈥檚 Federal system limiting the ability of the states to effect changes on a force that falls under the ambit of the national government.

Japheth Omojuwa, a political activist from Abuja, said the demonstrators appeared determined to continue their campaign until all their demands were met.

Omojuwa noted that 鈥渢he Nigerian Government is not used to something like this.

鈥淚t鈥檚 difficult to say it can go this way or that way; but ultimately, the government will always have a say in how far it goes.鈥�

Meanwhile, the Federal Government Tuesday would be meeting with the members of the Diplomatic Corps in Nigeria over the ongoing protests.

M.O Abam, Chief Protocol Officer to Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, a letter signed stated: 鈥淚 am directed to invite all directorate level officers to a briefing session to members of the Diplomatic Corps by the Hon Minister on the anti-SARS protests.鈥�

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