Protest in Nigeria August 2024 Coverage: President Tinubu Told Way Forward
Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs.
FCT, Abuja - 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.
Source: Getty Images
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.
Follow all the updates and coverage here:
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Jigawa protesters defy curfew
Protesters in Jigawa state on Friday, August 2, defied the curfew.
As reported by Daily Trust, the protesters returned to the streets.
Currently, security agencies are battling with the protesters around Zai area of the city.
Nigerian protest: At least 16 people killed
Nationwide protests against economic hardship resulted in violent clashes in northern Nigeria on the first day.
According to SBM Intelligence, at least 16 people were killed on day one of the #EndBadGovernance protest, which took place across Nigeria.
Protest in Nigeria today: Dele Momodu advises Tinubu
On day 2 of the protest, a former presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu, has said the way forward for President Bola Tinubu would entail a huge sacrifice: the federal government should downsize drastically, "by sacking most of the deadwoods imported to Abuja from Lagos in the name of political appointments".
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftian also said ministries should be merged for cheaper and more efficient operations.
Read Momodu's full tweet here.
Protesters burnt NSCDC vehicle in Katsina
Hoodlums took advantage of the ongoing nationwide hardship protest in Katsina State, setting ablaze a Toyota Hilux belonging to the Anti-vandal Squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The vehicle was attacked by an angry mob protesting against bad governance, hunger, and hardship.
The NSCDC squad had been involved in an accident with a police armoured truck and were attempting to repair their punctured tyres when the mob attacked and set their vehicle on fire. The incident highlights the potential for violence and destruction during the protests, as some individuals take advantage of the situation to carry out criminal acts.
APC Secretariat in Jigawa set ablaze
The headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State is currently on fire.
The secretariat was set ablaze during the violence that broke out during the #EndBadGovernance protest.
Hunger protest: Tinubu meets Wike
President Bola Tinubu has entered a closed-door meeting with the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.
The Nation reported that while the exact purpose of Wike’s visit was not disclosed, it comes amidst ongoing protests in the nation’s capital.
Abia residents opt out of national protest
In Abia state, residents said they decided to opt out of the #EndBadGovernanceProtest for various reasons.
Chiemeka Nwokenta who spoke to News Central TV said that although people were not happy with the economic situation, they did not storm the streets 'because Igbos did not vote for Tinubu'.
Watch the responses of other residents below:
Protests: Kano joins Yobe and Borno in imposing curfew
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state has declared a 24-hour curfew following the looting of some public facilities.
The Cable quoted Yusuf as saying:
"I am deeply dismayed by the actions of some individuals who have hijacked the ongoing protests in Kano state, resulting in the vandalism of public property.
“To safeguard lives and property, I have decided to impose a 24-hour curfew, effective immediately."
Already, Yobe and Borno states imposed curfews.
"Wike, we are ready for you" - Protester laments
One of the Nigerians protesting against bad governance in Nigeria dared Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister.
Wike had said the territory would be unavailable for protesters. But the demonstrators came out and made their grievances known.
Hunger pushes Tinubu's 'supporter' to protest against anti-hardship demonstrators
A Nigerian journalist, Eniola Akinkuotu, interviewed a plumber and his friend on Thursday, August 1. They were among the pro-government protesters that stormed the Moshood Abiola stadium in Abuja.
The Bola Tinubu supporter said he was promised N5,000 to protest in favour of the president. According to him, hunger pushed him into it.
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.
Bada Yusuf (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Yusuf Amoo Bada is an accomplished writer with 7 years of experience in journalism and writing, he is also politics and current affairs editor with Legit.ng. He holds B.A in Literature from OAU, and Diploma in Mass Comm. He has obtained certificates in Google's Advance Digital Reporting, News Lab workshop. He previously worked as an Editor with OperaNews. Legit’s Best Editor of the Year for Politics and Current Affairs Desk (2023). Contact: bada.yusuf.amoo@corp.legit.ng
Ridwan Adeola (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a content creator with more than nine years of experience, He is also a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State (2014). Ridwan previously worked at Africa Check, contributing to fact-checking research works within the organisation. He is an active member of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI). In March 2024, Ridwan completed the full Google News Initiative Lab workshop and his effort was recognised with a Certificate of Completion. Email: ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.
