Nigerian police used tear gas to break up protests against the high cost of living in Kano and Abuja on Thursday. Hundreds of protesters gathered as part of a movement against economic hardship following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent economic policies.
In Kano, Nigeria’s second-largest city, protesters assembled outside the state governor’s office, attempting to light bonfires. Police responded with tear gas, forcing most demonstrators to retreat. An AFP correspondent reported the police action effectively dispersed the crowd.
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In Abuja, the capital, security forces also used tear gas to scatter protests in Mararaba on the city’s outskirts and in the central area. An AFP reporter confirmed the police’s use of tear gas to break up these demonstrations.
The protests were organized under the hashtag #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria, gaining support through an online campaign. Protesters expressed frustration with high inflation and the sharp devaluation of the naira. These issues have worsened since President Tinubu ended a costly fuel subsidy and liberalized the currency a year ago to stabilize the economy.
“We are tired of suffering. The government needs to listen to us and address these problems,” said one protester in Kano.
The government had previously warned against attempts to replicate recent violent protests in Kenya, where the government had to abandon new taxes due to public unrest.
Despite the police crackdown, the movement highlighted growing discontent among Nigerians over the economic situation. The protests underscored the challenges faced by President Tinubu’s administration as it navigates economic reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s financial stability while managing public dissatisfaction over rising costs and declining living standards.