Live Updates: October 1 Protest Begins as Nigerians March Out on Independence Day
Today, October 1, 2024, marks Nigeria's Independence Day, but it's also a day of mass protests across the country. Nigerians are taking to the streets to demand an end to bad governance.
The protests, which have been planned for some time, are expected to draw large crowds in major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt, with people gathering at key locations such as Eagle Square, Ikeja Under Bridge, and Freedom Park.
Source: Twitter
As the situation unfolds, stay tuned for Legit.ng's live updates on the October 1st protests in Nigeria, which have been tagged #FearlessInOctober.
October1 protesters hit Osogbo streets
Protesters took to the streets of Osogbo, Osun State, on October 1, 2024, to express their frustration over Nigeria's worsening economic situation.
The protest, organized by the Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens and supported by the Take it Back Movement, started at Freedom Park, with protesters chanting anti-government songs and demanding an end to economic hardship.
A significant security presence was felt, with personnel from various agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, closely monitoring the march.
The protesters are calling for immediate government action to address issues like hunger, poverty, and bad policies affecting the country ².
Key Demands:
- Return of pump price to N180 per litre
- Price control mechanism to regulate food commodities
- Provision of scholarships instead of student loans
- Reduction of petroleum prices and inflation
In Rivers, youths mobilise against October1 protesters
Hundreds of youths opposed to the #October1 protest gathered in Port Harcourt on Tuesday morning, congregating near the Federal Secretariat and Pleasure Park, venues previously used for the #EndBadGovernanceProtest that lasted ten days in August.
By 10 am, their numbers had swelled to over 200, occupying areas between the Federal Secretariat and Hotel Presidential along Aba Road.
To maintain order, five police patrols comprising armed policemen, soldiers, and Department of State Services operatives were deployed to the area.
Benue youths shun October1protest
Youths in Benue state celebrated Nigeria's Independence Day on October 1st with a carnival-like event, defying the planned protest.
The Punch reported that hundreds of youths dressed in cultural attire drummed and danced through the capital city's major streets.
One of the organizers, Terhile, described the event as a "cultural festival." Meanwhile, police were deployed to strategic locations to maintain security.
FearlessInOctober: Police teargas protesters in Abuja
Protesters gathered at the Utako market area of Abuja to demonstrate against bad governance in Nigeria on its 64th Independence Day anniversary.
The protest, tagged #FearlessInOctober, was organized by civil society organizations under the #EndBadGovernance movement.
However, things took a turn when Nigerian Police Force operatives dispersed the crowd with teargas.
October 1 protest: Security agents take over Eagles Square in Abuja
Security forces have set up multiple roadblocks around Eagle Square in Abuja, causing difficulties for commuters and journalists trying to access the area.
The heavy presence of security operatives inside and outside the facility aims to discourage protesters from using the venue, despite it not being utilized for Independence Day celebrations, The Punch reported.
This isn't the first time security forces have taken such measures. During protests from August 1 to 10, they resisted attempts to use the facility.
FearlessInOctober: Sowore joins protesters in Lagos
Activist Omoyele Sowore joined protesters in Lagos, marching to Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota to demonstrate against anti-government policies.
A significant security presence was noticeable in Lagos and Abuja, with security agents maintaining a safe distance from protesters.
The demonstrations weren't limited to these two cities; protesters gathered in multiple states across Nigeria to voice their demands, according to Channels TV.
FearlessInOctober: Protesters gather in Lagos
In Lagos, around the state capital in Ikeja, youths besieged the popular Ikeja UnderBridge area, paralysing traffic on the day that the government already declared a public holiday for the celebration of Nigeria’s independence.
The protesters in Lagos also wielded large format banners with boldly encrusted statements like, “Reverse Anti-People, Neoliberal Policies Of Privatisation, Deregulation and Devaluation of Naira”, among others.
FearlessInOctober: Protesters gather in Abuja
On Tuesday, October 1, protesters gathered at the Utako area in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) waving the Nigerian Green-White-Green flag and banners with various inscriptions such as “EndBadGovernance”, “DiasporaVoting”, “EndHighLivingCosts”, amongst others.
