In the northern city of Kano, Nigerian police fired live bullets and tear gas to disperse thousands protesting the rising cost of living. The unrest has led many businesses across the country to close, as demonstrators in major cities chant slogans like “We are hungry.”
In Kano, the largest crowds gathered. Protesters set tyres on fire in front of the state governor’s house, prompting police to open fire. Four people were wounded and taken to the hospital. The protests, organized via social media, were inspired by recent demonstrations in Kenya that led to the government scrapping tax hike plans.
Officers also used hot water to disperse the crowds in Kano, but the demonstrators remained on the streets. Looters broke into a warehouse near the governor’s house, carrying away 25-litre cartons of vegetable oil and mattresses.
On Wednesday night, a court ordered that protesters in the capital, Abuja, should stay at the National Stadium on the city’s outskirts. However, on Thursday morning, demonstrators gathered at the stadium’s gate and began marching into the city center, chanting “End bad governance.” This led to police firing tear gas to stop the procession, which affected traffic.
Security forces are deployed at strategic locations within the capital, where even banks are closed, and in surrounding towns. In Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, the protest is slowly gaining momentum. Demonstrators are heading to Ojota, where the government permitted them to gather, shouting “ole,” meaning “thief” in Yoruba, in reference to President Bola Tinubu and his government.
Many are angered by President Tinubu’s removal of a fuel subsidy, announced with immediate effect during his inauguration speech in May 2023. The removal aimed to cut government expenditure but led to soaring pump prices and a ripple effect on other goods.
“Top on our demand is the subsidy removal. The government should reverse that decision,” said Abuja protester Abiodun Sanusi.
Protesters also demand wide-ranging reforms to the country’s electoral system and the judiciary. Despite the government’s appeal to Nigerians not to take to the streets and give the president time for policies to bear fruit, the discontent remains high.
Lagos protester Kingsley Uadiale dismissed the government’s plea, saying, “Hunger is the reason why we’re all here. You can’t beat a baby and ask the baby not to cry.”
If the Tinubu administration wanted patience, he argued, they should lead by example. “You can’t tell us to be patient and you’re acquiring a private jet,” he said, citing plans to buy new planes worth millions of dollars for Mr. Tinubu and his deputy, Kashim Shettima.
Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, an activist protesting in Lagos, emphasized the demonstration’s aim to reverse price hikes on essential commodities. “If they don’t yield, we will continue to protest,” she said.
This wave of protests across Nigeria highlights the intense frustration and hardship many Nigerians face due to economic policies. As the unrest continues, the government faces increasing pressure to address the public’s demands and provide relief from the escalating cost of living.
The protests have not only brought economic activities to a halt in many areas but also showcased the power of social media in mobilizing large crowds. The situation remains tense, and it is unclear how the government will respond to the sustained pressure from its citizens.
For now, the streets of Nigeria’s major cities are filled with voices demanding change, and the resolve of the protesters suggests that this is just the beginning of a larger movement seeking to hold the government accountable.
Source: Ghana Web
