Hunger Protest Day 2 Live Updates: Nigerians Continue Demonstrations

Hardship protest: Sowore defies Adegboruwa

Omoyele Sowore, an activist believed to be one of the organisers of the ‘End Bad Governance’ demonstration in Nigeria, on Friday, August 2, thanked protesters “for staying the course” since the commencement of the action.

In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Sowore stated that in addition to the street marches, people at home should engage in pot and pan protests against hunger, poverty, and starvation.

Woman collapses at Abuja hardship protest

Security agents fired teargas to disperse protests in Abuja as nationwide demonstrations against economic hardship continued on Friday, August 2.

During the incident, a female protester collapsed in Abuja.

Hardship protests: 16 killed

Nationwide protests against economic hardship resulted in deadly clashes in northern Nigeria on the first day which took place on Thursday, August 1.

News Central TV on Friday, August 2, quoted SBM Intelligence as saying at least 16 people were killed on day one of the #EndBadGovernance protest.

Hardship: Tinubu speaks amid protests

On day two of the hardship protest in several Nigerian states, President Bola Tinubu said his administration is currently “undertaking bold economic policies to propel Nigeria's economy out of the downturns occasioned by multiple shocks in the global economy”.

Tinubu spoke on Friday, August 2, when he declared the 2024 African Caucus meeting open.

DSS arrests hunger protest leaders

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly arrested Kabir Shehu Yandaki and Habibu Ruma, the leaders of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest in Katsina state.

The two leaders of the “Struggle for Good Governance” protest, were invited to the DSS office in Katsina and subsequently detained.

How to stop ongoing protests - Primate Ayodele

In the wake of the nationwide protests, the Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has advised President Tinubu to sack his ministers and aides 'because they are problematic for his government'.

Primate Ayodele said the ongoing protest is not because of Tinubu alone but due to the alleged incompetence of his ministers and aides.

Hunger protest: SAN urges end to demonstration

Human Rights Lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has called for the immediate suspension of the #EndBadGovernance protests, citing the loss of lives and property.

Adegboruwa, one of the lawyers for the Take It Back Movement, expressed regret that the protests had resulted in violence, which was not the organisers' intention.

Tinubu speaks amid protest against hardship

On day 2 of the hardship protest in several Nigerian states, President Bola Tinubu said his administration is currently “undertaking bold economic policies to propel Nigeria's economy out of the downturns occasioned by multiple shocks in the global economy”.

Tinubu spoke on Friday, August 2, when he declared the 2024 African Caucus meeting open.

Protest: Possibility of state of emergency

On Friday, August 2, Dele Momodu, a former presidential candidate, joined other Nigerians in appealing to the protesters to maintain peace at all costs.

Momodu advised the Bola Tinubu government to improve “its terrible communication strategies”.

Hunger protests: "We are tired", citizens cry out

Nigerians have cried out that they are tired of sitting down at home and finding it difficult to get something to eat.

Some of them spoke with journalists during day two of the hunger protest.

See video below:

PHOTOS: Muslim protesters pause protest to observe Friday prayer in Lagos

Muslim protesters in Lagos State temporarily halted their demonstrations on Friday, August 2, to observe congregational prayers. Christians among them stood by and observed as Muslims prayed.

The protest, which started on Thursday, August 1, resumed after prayers and is ongoing in many parts of the country.

Hunger protest: Primate Ayodele asks Tinubu what to do

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has advised President Bola Tinubu to dismiss his ministers and aides, citing them as problematic to his government. According to Primate Ayodele, the ongoing protests are not solely directed at President Tinubu, but rather are a result of the incompetence of his ministers and aides.

PM News reported that Primate Ayodele believes that the removal of these individuals would help address the issues fueling the protests. He emphasized that the ministers and aides have contributed significantly to the current unrest, and their departure would be a step towards resolving the crisis.

Senator accused of sponsoring hunger protest opened up

FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe has denied the allegation that she was financing the nationwide hunger protest in the country.

Kingibe's comment followed an allegation by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, that a senator had been caught financing the protesters and giving them food.

According to The Nation, While Wike did not mention the name of the senator, Kingibe maintained that the video being circulated as she sponsoring the protesters was manipulated as the event actually happened during a Labour Party event.

Osun protesters observe Juma'at on the road

Residents of Osun State, primarily youths, continued their protest in Osogbo, the state capital, on Friday. They demanded the reversal of the fuel subsidy removal and a halt to naira devaluation. The protest, tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, began on Thursday and gained momentum on Friday.

The Punch reported that the protesters, who gathered at Friday Park in Osogbo, were joined by security personnel from the police, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Department of State Security. The presence of security operatives ensured a peaceful procession as the protesters marched through the streets,

Nigerians kick as police share water to protesters

In a surprising turn of events, police officers in Lagos state were seen distributing bags of water to protesters, demonstrating against bad governance, hunger, and hardship in the country. The gesture, captured in a video that went viral online, warmed the hearts of many and showed a softer side of the police force amidst the ongoing protests.

The kind act comes after a tumultuous Thursday, where an officer was killed, and police stations were destroyed. In response, IGP Kayode Egbetokun issued a fresh order, which may have led to a change in approach by the police.'

See the video of the moment here:

Police teargas journalists, protesters in Abuja

On Friday, August 2, Nigerian Police officers forcefully dispersed protesters at the Berger Bridge in Abuja, using their firearms to break up the demonstration. The heavy-handed approach has raised concerns among passers-by and motorists, who have accused the FCT police operatives of being unprofessional in their handling of the situation.

According to Vanguard, the police action comes after a court order was issued barring protesters from demonstrating on the streets. The order was granted following a suit filed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who had sought to prevent the protests from taking place.

Senator sponsoring hunger protest, Wike alleges

According to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, a senator has been identified as the mastermind behind the nationwide protests against President Bola Tinubu's government.

Wike revealed that security agencies had uncovered the federal lawmaker's involvement in the protests, which have been taking place across the country.

Wike also addressed the protesters in Abuja, urging them to comply with a court order that prohibits them from demonstrating on the streets and accessing Eagles Square.

Protesters stormed Ojota in Lagos

Protesters in Lagos have gathered at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota to continue their #EndBadGovernance demonstrations.

According to The Nation, the protest, which began on Thursday, August 1, is part of a nationwide movement calling for an end to bad governance and economic hardship.

Video: Pro-Government protester laments hunger

One of the pro-government protesters who was asked to speak with the media during a counter-protest against the hunger protest has lamented about hunger.

The man in the viral video made the comment on Thursday, the first day of the nationwide hunger protest.

See the video here:

Shehu Sani asks questions as protest unfolds

Former senator representing Kaduna central in the 10th National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has wondered why the southeast is not participating in the nationwide hunger protest and why the southwest always participate in every protest.

The former senator also asked why the north protested against Former President Goodluck Jonathan and President Bola Tinubu and did not come out to protest during late Umar Musa Yar'Adua and former President Muhammadu Buhari.

See his tweet here:

Full speech of IGP Egbetokun on Hunger protest day 1

SPEECH BY THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE, IGP KAYODE ADEOLU EGBETOKUN, Ph.D., NPM, ON DAY ONE OF THE PLANNED NATIONWIDE PROTEST (AUGUST 1, 2024) AT THE IGP CONFERENCE HALL, FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA.

Protocols

Fellow Nigerians and Compatriots,

It is with grave sense of responsibility that I address you this evening. You will recall that upon several indications by various groups of their intent to commence a nationwide protest on 1st August, 2024, we rolled out several warnings based on actionable intelligence at our disposal indicating that some groups were mobilizing our youths for violent protests with intent to create anarchy in the country. While some groups claiming to be mobilizing for peaceful protests were doing so with violent undertones refusing to cooperate with the Police on measures to be taken to guarantee peaceful protest.

2.On the basis of these intelligence, the Police advised that the protests should be shelved at the instant time. Where the organizers insisted on going on with the protests, they were advised to stage the protest in confined locations. This would have enabled the police provide adequate protection for the protesters and isolate the criminals whose intention was to loot and destroy in the name of a protest. This we were doing in furtherance of our duty to protect lives and property and maintaining law and order.

3.While we affirmed the constitutional rights of citizens to assemble and express their views on issues of national importance, we were wary about the dangers posed by agitation instigated by some individuals who have shown tendencies to be disloyal to the government of the day.

4.Despite our suspicions, we showed good faith through professional conduct by providing security at strategic locations all aimed at ensuring peaceful conduct during the protest as the promoters pledged. Our men deployed nationwide went out with a clear brief to ensure that no one is unnecessarily harassed or intimidated. In places where there were court orders, we gave instructions for observance of same.

5.Regrettably, events in some major cities today showed that what was being instigated was mass uprising and looting, not protest. Those who were in the forefront of promoting the idea of the protest were not around to lead it. Hoodlums have been let loose on innocent Nigerians and their hard-earned businesses and property looted and destroyed. The motive of the rioters was basically two; loot and destroy both private and government property. The destruction so far has been mind-boggling. There has been destruction in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT Abuja, Niger, Jigawa. Police stations have been destroyed, there has been attempts to take over government houses, looting of government infrastructures, several warehouses and shops have so far been looted and, in several instances, completely destroyed.

http://6.In spite of the refusal of the protesters, for instance in FCT to adhere to a court order requesting that protest in Abuja should be at the National Stadium, they trooped into the streets, and yet the police provided security for them. At no point did we breach their fundamental rights even as they breached court order.

http://7.In places like FCT, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, among others, we recorded incidents of unprovoked attacks on security personnel, where one policeman has been reported murdered and others seriously injured.

8.We alerted earlier on that terror elements may take advantage of the protests to infiltrate the crowd of protesters with bombers. Yesterday in Lagos, our EOD team was informed of a suspected IED on Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja. The team responded swiftly and rendered safe what turned out to be an improvised explosive device (IED).

http://9.Today in Borno State, we recorded one incident of an explosion which occurred in the crowd of protesters, killing 4 instantly and severely injuring 34 others, many of whom are presently on the danger list.

See the statement here:

Police alert as officers as protest spread across Nigeria

The Nigerian Police Force has pledged to maintain law and order and prevent anarchy in all parts of the country as the #EndBadGovernance protests continue. Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi stated that the police have not used live ammunition against peaceful protesters but have employed tear gas to disperse "unruly hoodlums" who have taken over the streets and are causing chaos.

Adejobi emphasized that the police are committed to maintaining public safety and order and are using proportionate measures to address the situation. He reiterated that, to his knowledge, no live ammunition has been used and that tear gas is being used to engage with the unruly elements that have hijacked the protests.

Immigration officer shot self in Borno

Chaos erupted in the Bulunkutu area of Maiduguri, Borno State, when an immigration officer accidentally shot himself in the foot three times while trying to barricade protesters.

Leadership reported that the sound of the gunshots caused panic among the protesters, who initially believed that one of their own had been shot.