Live Updates: Hunger Protest Enters Day 7 As Concerns About Raising Russian Flags Grow
The nationwide hunger protests entered day seven on Wednesday, August 7, with security concerns rising over the raising of Russian flags. The protests started on Thursday, August 1, and are expected to last until Saturday, August 10.
The protesters are angry about the rising cost of food and other essential items, which has left many struggling to survive. The situation has been exacerbated by the country's economic woes, including a weakening currency and soaring inflation. The government has responded to the protests by imposing curfews and deploying security forces to maintain order, but the demonstrators remain defiant, insisting that their voices will be heard.
Source: Twitter
Hunger: Tinubu threatens foreign countries sponsoring protests
President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has threatened to take necessary actions against any foreign country found sponsoring the hunger protest in Nigeria.
Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, the minister of foreign affairs, who spoke on behalf of the president, maintained that Nigeria is a sovereign state and would not tolerate any external influence.
The federal government's comment came after some protesting Nigerians raised Russian flags in some parts of northern Nigeria during protests.
Protest: Bride to be, four teenagers shot in two northern states
At least four teenagers and a bride-to-be have reportedly been killed by security operatives during the hunger protest,
Daily Trust reported that three of the teenagers were allegedly killed by police in Kano state, while a soldier killed another in Kaduna state.
A bride-to-be, Firdausi Muhammad, who was to get married next week, was hit by a stray bullet and died in Kano state.
Tinubu's minister dismisses calls for fuel subsidy return
President Bola Tinubu's minister of finance and coordinating economy, Wale Edun, has dismissed the possibility of returning the fuel subsidy.
According to Edun, subsidies are not in the 2024 budget, and the present administration does not plan to reintroduce them.
Edun's comment came amid the hunger protests, during which some protesters are asking the government to reduce the cost of fuel and return to the fuel subsidy era.
See the video of his interview here:
Governor Sani reveals foreign influence behind hunger protest
The Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, has expressed concerns that the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria was sponsored by external influence.
The Punch reported that Sani said the raising of the Russian flags indicates that the protesters were not hungry but sponsored elements.
The governor alleged that the external influences explored the younger age of the protesters and the cultural proximity between neighbouring countries such as Niger.
Police deny using live ammunition against protesters
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has said security forces did not use live ammunition against protesters during the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations.
Since August 1, the #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria have been marred by violence, leading to looting and property damage in several areas.
Egbetokun reported that some police officers were assaulted and are now in critical condition, but stressed that there was no excessive use of force.
Police arrest sponsors of protesters raising Russian flags in Kano
The Kano state police command has announced the arrest of some foreigners suspected to be masterminds in the #EndBadGovernance protest in the state.
According to TheCable, Salman Dogo, the Kano police commissioner, disclosed the development following a security meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
According to the police boss, the arrests were made after an intensified operation, which sent a warning to those working against the peace of the state.
Presidency knocks Atiku over hunger protests comment
Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, has been tackled for speaking against the security agencies in their measure to stop hunger protesters from violence.
Bayo Onanuga, the spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu, faulted the former PDP presidential candidate's position on the constitutional right to protest.
The presidency stated that the constitution spelt out limitations for protests and urged Atiku to emulate his counterparts in the UK and condemn the looting of public and private businesses during the protests.
See the statement here:
Hunger protest: Atiku knocks security agencies
Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, told service chiefs and military commanders that it was inhuman to use lethal force against peaceful protesters.
The former vice president maintained that those who authorised the use of lethal force would be held accountable, even after their service years.
He, however, kept mum on some protesters waving Russian flags in some parts of the north.
See his tweet here:
Three northern politicians under probe for alleged sponsoring raising Russian flags
Following the raising of Russian flags by some protesters in some parts of the north, the security agencies have reportedly identified four politicians sponsoring the move.
The Punch reported that sources disclosed that the northern political bigwigs under investigation are from Kaduna, Kano and Katsina.
The sources further revealed that the accused politicians are instrumental in the 2023 elections and have been identified as conniving with foreign countries to influence unconstitutional change of government in Nigeria.
