The Federal Government has deployed a significant number of police officers and security personnel across major cities in Nigeria in anticipation of a one million-man march planned by organizers of the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The protests, which have been ongoing for ten days, are set to reach their climax today, despite earlier incidents of violence and attacks on demonstrators.
Protests Against Government Policies
The nationwide protests have been fueled by demands for the reversal of the removal of fuel subsidies, an increase in the minimum wage to N250,000, and an end to what protesters describe as “bad governance.” Although the protest movement has waned in some regions, it remains strong in states such as Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, and Bauchi. The organizing groups have vowed to lock down the entire country to press home their demands, expressing dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s recent nationwide address.
“The President’s speech was not convincing enough,” said Sanyaolu Juwon, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups leading the protests. “We are mobilizing a one-million-man march in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as part of our #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria campaign.”
Increased Security Presence in Major Cities
In response to the planned march, security agencies have ramped up their presence in key locations across the country. In Lagos, hundreds of police officers have been stationed around major bus stops, including Ojota, Ketu, Obalende, and Berger. Similar measures have been observed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where security forces have increased their presence in the Business Central District and at Eagles Square.
Despite the heightened security, protest organizers have remained undeterred. “Nigerians have shown resilience in the face of violent state repression,” Juwon said. “We are not prophets, but we will not be intimidated. Let’s meet at the barricades.”
Tensions in Kano and Rivers
In Kano, security personnel have taken over several roads in anticipation of the march. The city, known for its bustling commercial activities, has seen heavy police, military, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) presence on major streets, including Ibrahim Taiwo Road and France Road in the Sabon Gari area. The situation in Kano remains tense, with reports of intermittent clashes between law enforcement agents and protesters.
Similarly, in Rivers State, there is an increased presence of policemen at key locations, including the Federal Secretariat and Pleasure Park in Port Harcourt. Although protesters did not gather at these usual meeting points on Friday, security forces were seen patrolling the areas. Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the state police command, confirmed the deployment, stating that it was based on credible intelligence of potential plans to loot and cause disturbances.
Calls for Release of Detained Protesters
The protests have also led to the arrest of several demonstrators. A coalition of 20 civil society organizations has called for the immediate release of all detained protesters. Peter Ameh, National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties and coordinator of the group, condemned the arrests, stating that they violate the protesters’ constitutional rights.
“Our fundamental rights will not be taken away from us,” Ameh declared at a press conference in Abuja. “We demand that all those detained in connection to the ongoing protest be released with immediate effect.”
Opposition Parties and Activists Condemn Government Response
Opposition political parties and activists have criticized the government’s handling of the protests. Mark Adebayo, spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties, lamented the loss of lives and destruction of property, blaming it on the government’s failure to address the protesters’ grievances.
“The lives that were lost were a needless tragedy,” Adebayo said. “President Tinubu’s response was uninspiring and failed to address the root causes of the protests.”
The use of lethal force by security agencies has also come under scrutiny, particularly after the death of a 16-year-old protester in Kaduna. The teenager, identified as Ismail Mohammed, was shot by soldiers attempting to disperse a crowd in the Samaru community. The incident has sparked outrage, with opposition figures warning that the country is sliding into dictatorship.
Government Appeals for Peace and Dialogue
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has dismissed claims that the protests would continue in the state. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stated that the protests in Lagos had been peaceful and that the government had opened channels for dialogue with the protesters.
“Lagosians have embraced peace and dialogue,” Omotoso said. “The state has provided phone numbers through the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, and the Office of Civic Engagement for citizens to engage in fruitful dialogue. The good people of Lagos have chosen peace.”
As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on today’s planned one million-man march, with both the government and protesters bracing for what could be a pivotal moment in the #EndBadGovernance movement.