Organized Civil Society criticized the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday for using tear gas on “defenseless protesters” in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Bauchi, and other states across the country.
In a statement, the United Action Front of Civil Society reported that three peaceful protesters in Abuja fainted due to tear gas used by the police, with many others injured.
CSO leader Olawale Okunniyi alleged that pro-government protesters forced anti-hunger demonstrators out of the government-designated venue, the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
“The anti-hunger protesters sensing danger and possible violent clash, decided to quietly move in peaceful procession to the Eagle Square, where they had earlier designated to hold their peaceful protest.
“On getting to the Eagle Square, security agents swooped on them and unleashed mayhem on peaceful [rotesters with tear gas canisters, injuring several unarmed and defenceless protesters with three protesters reported to have fainted.”
The group strongly condemned the “resort to violence by the police in Abuja, Lekki, Kaduna and other centres in the country contrary to the assurances given to us by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun during our consultative meeting with him on Tuesday”.
“We find this show of force and reckless use of force unacceptable and barbaric and therefore call on the IGP to immediately call his men to order before the situation degenerates beyond control,” the statement said.
The nationwide protests against economic hardship, tagged #EndBadGovernance, propagated on social media, began on Thursday, August 1, 2024, and are scheduled to continue until August 10 across all states of the Federation, including the nation’s capital, Abuja.
In recent months, prices of food and basic commodities have soared, as Nigerians grapple with one of the country’s worst inflation rates and economic crises. These issues were triggered by the government’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and the unification of forex windows.
The police, military, and Department of State Services have warned against Kenya-style protests. Politicians, concerned that the planned rallies might resemble the EndSARS demonstrations of October 2020, have urged youths to abandon the protests, but the young people remain resolute.