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Tag: Protesters

  • Rubble after the storm: How protesters’ frantic fury drowned in chaos

    Rubble after the storm: How protesters’ frantic fury drowned in chaos

    • Hope meets havoc: Unmasking the 10 Days of Rage
    • Protesters withdraw from streets amid dispute over death tally
    • Beneath the mask of revolt, echoes of anarchy persist

    Every protest has a kind of evil twin that looks like the 1960s’ Operation Wet e! In October 2020, it was #EndSARS. From August 1 to 10, 2024, it was ‘Days of Rage.’

    The latter, supposedly meant to end bad governance manifested different phases and faces of grief, as the casualties ranged from the known to the unknown, the familiar to the strange, from distant agony to grief that hits too closely to home.

    The tragic fate of Ismail Mohammed resonates with the tragic turn of the #EndBadGovernance protest. A single bullet cut through the delicate threads of the teenager’s life. Mohammed, 16, had no inkling that the luminous dawn of August 6 would be his last. His death, a tragic punctuation mark in the ill-fated #EndBadGovernance protest, has left his family—and the nation—grappling with the painful irony of a movement meant to bring change but instead wrought only more suffering.

    Mohammed’s life was like a bird that had only just learned to spread its wings, fluttering tentatively on the edge of the world. Born to a modest family in the heart of Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State, he was the son of a local trader who dreamt of a life beyond the dusty streets of his childhood. His dreams were like fragile wings—light and full of hope—carrying him above the daily struggles of poverty that hemmed in so many of his peers.

    But on that fateful August 6th, as soldiers enforcing a curfew in Samaru fired warning shots to disperse protesters, one of those bullets found its mark in Ismail. The boy who once dreamed of flying was brought down, his life extinguished in an instant, leaving behind a legacy of grief and anger. The northern elite, quick to denounce the protest as poorly organized, have pointed to Ismail’s death as proof of the dangers that await the unprotected, underage boys thrust into the maelstrom of political unrest.

    The #EndBadGovernance protest, which began with the promise of upending the status quo, quickly unravelled into chaos and violence. What was meant to be a peaceful demonstration against economic hardship transformed into a brutal dance of destruction, mirroring the same senselessness it sought to condemn. In the north, where the protest took on an especially volatile character, Mohammed became one of its youngest—and most heartbreaking—victims.

    His death was a stark reminder of the thin line between hope and despair, a line that the protesters crossed with tragic consequences. As the sun set on August 6th, Mohammed’s father, Muhammad Hussaini, received a phone call that shattered his world. The boy he had raised with love and dreams for a better future was gone, claimed by a movement that promised change but delivered only death.

    While the dust of discontent had barely settled from past upheavals, the embers of rage were stoked anew. The promise of change, the clarion call for justice, and the dream of a better tomorrow, once again, surged through the veins of the nation. But as the days wore on, the flames of revolution faltered, and what began as a righteous demand for accountability morphed into a lamentation of a people betrayed by their own fervour.

    The hashtag #EndBadGovernance trended with the ferocity of a wildfire, igniting hope and fanning the flames of rebellion across Nigeria. Yet, as the protest unfolded, it became a patchwork of agony, a kaleidoscope of grief, where the aspirations for a better country got eclipsed by widespread looting, violence, despair, and death.

    A House Pillaged, a Dream Shattered

    In Kaduna, the echoes of violence reverberated jarringly through the streets. One bright afternoon, the air thick with tension, the protestors marched through the streets, their chants for change echoing off the cracked walls of the city. But within this sea of hope, there lurked a darkness that would soon consume everything in its path as it did Mohammed’s promising life. Another Kaduna resident, this time a woman, got her home ransacked by hoodlums amidst the chaos, thus becoming another face of this sorrowful tale—her story a harrowing reminder of how noble intentions can be perverted by the very forces they seek to challenge.

    The woman’s home, a modest dwelling, stood as a testament to her years of toil and sacrifice. Yet, in mere moments, it was reduced to a hollow shell of its former self, as looters—wolves in the guise of revolutionaries—descended upon it with savage intent.

    In a heart-wrenching video that swiftly went viral, the woman sat on the dusty road, her face etched with despair. Her voice, thick with the weight of her loss, carried the pain of a thousand souls. “They broke into my house… they stole everything,” she wailed, the words punctuated by sobs that seemed to tear at the very fabric of her being.

    The video struck a chord deep within the nation, igniting a firestorm of reactions that revealed the fractured state of Nigeria’s social consciousness.

    Fault Lines Beneath the Rage

    The video of the Kaduna woman’s lament sparked a maelstrom on social media, where empathy and mockery danced together in a macabre waltz. Some viewers, moved by her plight, offered words of comfort and solidarity, their virtual embrace an attempt to soothe her wounds. Yet others, emboldened by anonymity and driven by the toxic divisions that have long plagued the nation, mocked her suffering, their cruel jests laying bare the deep-seated bigotry and sentimentality that fester beneath Nigeria’s surface.

    These reactions, as varied as they were visceral, highlighted the bitter truth: the protest, which was supposed to be a unified cry against misrule, had instead exposed the myriad fault lines that crisscrossed the nation’s political and social landscape. The dream of a collective uprising was marred by the stark realities of a country that, for all its outward show of unity, remained deeply divided.

    A Tidal Wave of Destruction

    As the protest entered its second day, the wave of destruction that had begun in Kaduna spread like a contagion to other parts of the North. In Kano, Niger, Abuja, Rivers, Plateau, Gombe, Sokoto, Katsina, and beyond, the scenes of mayhem repeated themselves with a grim predictability. The main marchers would advance, their chants of defiance filling the air, only for the fringe elements to hang back and unleash their fury upon the unsuspecting populace.

    By the morning of August 2, the devastation in these northern states had reached a crescendo, evoking memories of the Operation Wet E! crisis of 1963 and the #EndSARS protests of 2020. Government offices, block after block of shops, and boutiques were not spared as their windows were shattered and their goods plundered. In Katsina, the sight of teenagers and underage boys marching past the house of former President Muhammadu Buhari, waving Russian flags and calling for a military takeover, was a chilling reminder of how easily the line between protest and anarchy can blur.

    The Looting of a Nation’s Soul

    Across government facilities, major highways, and the side streets of sprawling suburbs, the destruction was widespread and indiscriminate. Houses were pillaged, eateries turned to ruins, and chain drugstores emptied of their contents. The looters moved from storefront to storefront, picking through the rubble to fill their pockets, polythene sacks, and garbage bags with yoghurt, shoes, clothes, electronics, and other goods. In Kano alone, over 600 arrests were made, the offenders mostly teenagers caught in the act of looting and burglary.

    The #EndBadGovernance movement, which had initially been lauded for its potential to bring about meaningful change, was now teetering on the brink of self-destruction. The noble cause, once a beacon of hope for the disenfranchised, had been hijacked by the very elements it sought to eradicate.

    Read Also: Police arrest AAC governorship candidate, other protesters in Ondo

    A Protest Lost in Translation

    In the Federal Capital Territory, the protest that had once swelled with the promise of a new dawn slowly fizzled out. By the time the Nation’s correspondent made their rounds on August 7, the city was eerily calm. The Moshood Abiola National Stadium, once a focal point of the demonstrations, was now devoid of the throngs that had gathered there in the early days. The heavy presence of security operatives, coupled with the weariness that had begun to creep into the hearts of the protesters, ensured that the momentum was all but lost.

    Lagos, too, saw a return to normalcy, albeit under the watchful eyes of the state’s security forces. The Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, once the epicentre of the protest, now stood deserted, a silent witness to the retreat of those who had once gathered in their thousands. The State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s proactive measures, including a court injunction that restricted the protesters’ movement to the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota and the Freedom Park in Ketu, ensured that Lagos remained a bastion of order amid the chaos that had engulfed the North.

    The Unraveling of the North

    In the North, however, the story was markedly different. Aside from the sad case of Ismail Mohammed, the protests birthed more gruesomeness in the pitiful fate of Hamza Waziri.

    In the soft twilight that often shrouds the Bauchi State Government House, Waziri’s fate unfurled jarringly. Bound to his wheelchair by fate but soaring in spirit, the physically challenged man found himself at the mercy of those sworn to protect the rights he was exercising. In a harrowing viral video, policemen are seen grappling with Waziri, their hands rough against the wheels that have become his legs, their hostility stark against his peaceful protest.

    Waziri, a scribe of the Initiative for the Liberalization of Physically Challenged People, argued that he had come not with malice, but with a heart full of hope and a voice seeking to be heard. He and his companions, though small in number, bore placards with words as simple as they were profound: “Employment should be for all” and “Inclusive Society.”

    Yet, the response they received was anything but inclusive. The police, with forceful disdain, sought to snatch from him not just his phone, which he used to document the reality of his protest, but also his dignity.

    As he tried to capture the unfolding events on his phone, the police turned on him with fists, each blow a punctuation to the brutal sentence they sought to impose on his freedom. The video, now seared into the collective memory of those who have witnessed it, shows a man of peace being battered by the very hands meant to uphold the law.

    Waziri, though physically frail, stood firm in his resolve. His protest was not merely against the economic hardships that gnaw at the fabric of the nation, but also against a system that continues to sideline and silence those already marginalised. The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities quickly condemned the assault, demanding justice for Waziri. They recognized not just the violation of his person, but the broader assault on the rights of all persons with disabilities, a clear breach of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018.

    In their statement, the commission reminded the nation of Waziri’s contributions—his tireless advocacy, his work as a Mandela Washington Fellow, and his status as a respected member of the CODE Board of Trustees. They reminded us that the blows landed on Waziri were not just an attack on one man, but on the ideals of inclusion and equality he represents.

    Hunger Protests: Why governors must be held responsible

    As the nation reels from economic strain, the blame is often misdirected towards the president, while the real architects of despair remain cloaked in their gubernatorial robes, according to Yasir Shehu Adam. According to him, while many Nigerians blame the president for the hardships in the country, the real culprits are often overlooked: state governors who contribute 80-90% to the current situation.

    He said, the removal of the fuel subsidy, which many citizens are urging the president to reinstate, was expected to stabilise the economy. However, since the subsidy was removed, each state has seen a significant increase in their monthly revenue from the federal government – the Federation Account Allocations Committee (FAAC).

    Yet, the question remains: Have you seen any positive changes in your state government due to the subsidy removal? Have these leaders done anything extraordinary to improve the lives of their people?

    In Bauchi State, where Shehu Adam resides, he lamented, “There have been no new appointments; no salary increases, no welfare programmes, and salaries are often delayed almost every month. When it comes to minimum wage, many governors claim they cannot pay. So, what are they doing with the increased revenue from the subsidy removal?”

    Before the fuel subsidy was removed, the FAAC monthly revenue distribution was considerably lower. For example, in April 2023, the FAAC allocation was N655.9 billion. In June 2023, the allocation jumped to N1.9 trillion, more than double the amount from May 2023. A total of N9.9 trillion was shared in the latter half of 2023.

    In states like Bauchi, where the pain is palpable, the people cry out for the barest relief—timely payment of salaries, welfare programs, and jobs. Instead, they are met with silence, their pleas unanswered by the very leaders who could make a difference. The disparity between the soaring FAAC allocations and the stagnation of progress is a bitter pill to swallow. In Bauchi alone, the average monthly FAAC allocation rose by 51.5% post-subsidy removal, yet the lives of its citizens remain unchanged, their suffering unabated.

    In Nasarawa: Average monthly allocation rose by 185.3%, from N4.34 billion to N12.39 billion. Enugu: Allocation increased by 94.3%, from N3.47 billion to N6.72 billion. Anambra saw a 74.1% rise, from N4.34 billion to N7.56 billion. Bauchi State’s average monthly FAAC allocation increased by 51.5%; from N4.8 billion to around N7.3 billion.

    Despite the increased allocations, there has been no marked improvement in the financial conditions of the citizens and the National Assembly is yet to take any convincing step to reduce the public’s anger, he argued.

    “Every citizen has the constitutional right to demand better from their representatives. If your senator or local leader is not serving you well, call for change and replace them with someone who will. I urge our leaders to take immediate action to ease the public’s suffering. Implement job creation programmes, and social welfare initiatives like the N-Power programme under President Buhari, and make life easier for the citizens. The youth are protesting for a reason; it is time to address these issues to calm the unrest,” said Shehu Adam.

    There is no gainsaying the removal of fuel subsidy, heralded as a measure to stabilise the economy, has instead lined the pockets of state governors with increased revenue from the Federation Account Allocations Committee (FAAC). Yet, these funds seem to evaporate into the void, leaving citizens to grapple with unrelenting poverty.

    The frustration is evident in the words of men like Shehu Adam, who laments the lack of appointments, salary increases, and welfare programs. The question echoes through the corridors of power: What have the governors done with the increased revenue? The silence that follows is as deafening as it is damning.

    The violence that had erupted in the region was a stark contrast to the relatively peaceful demonstrations in the South. Armed with sticks, stones, and an arsenal of frustration, the northern protesters wreaked havoc on private and public properties alike. The destruction was so widespread that curfews were imposed in at least five states, as the authorities scrambled to regain control of a situation that had spiralled out of hand.

    Northern leaders, in their assessment of the situation, were unanimous in their condemnation of the violence. The millions of young people in northern Nigeria, they warned, were a ticking time bomb—uneducated, impoverished, and easily manipulated by those who sought to exploit their grievances for political gain. The protest, they argued, had never been about bad governance or hunger; it had been a cynical ploy by unseen forces to sow discord and chaos in a region already teetering on the edge.

    A Timely Reckoning

    Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, in a sombre address, laid bare the grim reality of the situation. According to Governor Sani, a large proportion of those involved in the protests were uneducated and, alarmingly, underage. He noted that with an estimated 65 percent of the northern population living in poverty, it was relatively easy for those orchestrating and sponsoring the protests to manipulate and recruit these vulnerable children.

    Most of the children who had taken part in the protest, he revealed, were underage and uneducated, their minds poisoned by those who sought to use them as pawns in a dangerous game. The sponsors of the protest, he said, had preyed upon the vulnerability of these children, exploiting their psychology and filling their heads with visions of a coup d’état, of a future where the chaos that had engulfed neighboring countries like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso could be replicated in Nigeria.

    Senator Shehu Sani, too, lamented the lack of leadership in the northern protests. Unlike their counterparts in the South, who had identifiable leaders guiding their actions, the northern protesters were a leaderless horde, their anger directionless and their actions anarchic. The result, he said, was inevitable—chaos, destruction, and the unraveling of a movement that had once held such promise.

    Sani, a vocal commentator on national issues, offered additional insights into why the protests in the north took such a violent turn. Speaking on a popular television program, “Politics Today,” Senator Sani highlighted a crucial difference between the protests in the south and those in the north: the presence or absence of leadership.

    Sani further pointed out that the violence in the north was not just a spontaneous reaction, but rather a manifestation of deep-seated anger that had been building for decades. The millions of young people who resorted to violence during the protests represent a ticking time bomb, not just for the north but for the entire nation. Senator Sani stressed the urgent need to address the endemic poverty, illiteracy, and underdevelopment in the region, which have been exacerbated by years of neglect by northern leaders. While he acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu bears some responsibility as the current leader of the nation, he argued that the bulk of the blame lies with the northern leadership that failed to utilize the region’s resources for the betterment of its people.

    Echoing Senator Sani’s concerns, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State also described the situation as a time bomb. In a televised interview, he underscored the gravity of the crisis, noting that many of the protesters were “almajiri” children—some as young as five or seven years old—who had no understanding of the cause they were supposedly fighting for. Governor Sule urged northern leaders to engage in honest dialogue and take concrete actions to address the region’s challenges.

    He called for a return to agricultural practices and advised against polygamy unless one could afford it, highlighting the need for education as a critical factor in preventing future unrest. Governor Sule emphasized that the forthcoming meeting of northern governors must result in a collective, truthful assessment of the region’s problems and a decisive plan for moving forward.

    The violent protests in northern Nigeria underscore a complex web of socio-economic challenges that have been festering for decades. While the immediate trigger may have been the national protests, the root causes lie in the deep-seated poverty, illiteracy, and lack of leadership that continue to plague the region. The voices of northern leaders offer a sobering reminder that unless these issues are addressed with urgency, the entire country remains at risk of further unrest and instability.

    The Uncounted Costs

    As the dust began to settle, the true cost of the 10 Days of Rage became painfully clear. Conflicting accounts of the casualty figures only added to the confusion, with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, insisting that no live ammunition had been used in the management of the protests. Yet, media reports told a different story, with estimates of the death toll ranging from 10 to 21, and Amnesty International confirming at least 13 fatalities.

    Despite the conflicting narratives, one thing was certain: the #EndBadGovernance protest had left a trail of destruction in its wake, its noble ideals drowned in a sea of violence and despair. The movement, which had once held the promise of a new Nigeria, now stood as a grim reminder of the fragility of hope in the face of chaos.

    Street Protests Are not Enough – Prof. Toyin Falola

    Against the backdrop of the protests, Professor Toyin Falola, a distinguished historian at The University of Texas at Austin, shared his insights on how Nigeria’s youth could become the vanguards of democracy.

    Speaking with The Conversation Africa, Prof. Falola recognised the protests as a vital means of reminding the ruling class of their responsibilities. He drew parallels with historical movements, such as the fall of Omar al-Bashir in Sudan and the Arab Spring, where youth-led demonstrations played pivotal roles in challenging authoritarian regimes. Yet, he cautioned that protests alone would not suffice. Like the French Revolution, which was underpinned by strategic political action, Nigeria’s youth must also embrace political consciousness. Protests should be the beginning, not the end, of their efforts.

    To truly safeguard Nigerian democracy, Falola urged young people to demand accountability from their leaders and to push for ideological leadership that upholds democratic principles. This requires more than just raising voices in the streets—it demands active participation in the political process, ensuring that leaders adhere to the rule of law, uphold electoral integrity, and respect freedom of the press.

    Falola also advocated for the establishment of a Policy Evaluation and Monitoring Commission, spearheaded by youth movements, to hold the government accountable for its policies and projects. He emphasized that the youth must become vigilant watchdogs, ready to blow the whistle on corruption and maladministration.

    But mere observation from the sidelines, Falola argued, would not be enough. He cited the examples of Nigerian icons like Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikiwe, who transitioned from journalism to active politics to effect meaningful change. The youth must similarly coordinate their efforts, forming strong political blocs that can influence decision-making processes. For real transformation, they must step into the arena of power, running for legislative seats and other political offices in the next elections.

    Finally, Falola urged young Nigerians to embrace advocacy, drawing from the legacy of pre-independence leaders who proposed policies to enhance national participation in governance. Even when the nation seems ungovernable, he insisted, the youth must rise to the challenge, proposing and advocating for policies that address the nation’s most pressing issues.

    As Nigeria grappled with the chaos of the protests, the grim reality was starkly evident in the North, where the impact was most severe. According to a report by SBM Intelligence, the northern region, home to 86 million people, suffered the highest fatalities. Poverty, insecurity, and rampant banditry had already ravaged the region, pushing its people to the brink.

    Farmers, besieged by bandit warlords and extorted through illegal tolls, found it increasingly difficult to access their lands, exacerbating food insecurity in a country already ranked 109th on the Global Hunger Index. With inflation soaring and the economy in freefall, the North bore the brunt of the nation’s woes.

    As the protests spiraled into violence, state governments-imposed curfews in cities like Bauchi, Dutse, Gombe, Kaduna, and Kano, hoping to quell the unrest. But the underlying issues—poverty, insecurity, and the government’s failure to address them—remained unresolved, leaving the future of Nigeria’s democracy hanging in the balance.

    After the rage…

    As Nigeria teeters at the climax of the recent upheaval, the lessons of the past loom large. While the #EndSARS protest of October 2020 shook the country from the base to the rafters, the recently concluded #EndBadGovernance protest was supposed to be Nigeria’s jolt to disintegration, the awful promise of what will happen when push comes to shove.

    But despite the doomsday prophecies, Nigeria did not collapse into a Banana Republic; law enforcers resisted the urge to clash with protesters, like a guerrilla tribe at war with an irate mob.

    The call for ’10 Days of Rage’ echoed with the same fervent desire for change but carried the weight of history’s warnings.

    By the sixth dawn of the 10-day protest, the movement lost steam. By yesterday, August 10, the melee dwindled to an unprecedented denouement.

    It’s August 11, 2024; the nation’s streets are no longer a battleground for the hearts and minds of the people. Hell broke loose but Nigeria wasn’t undone.

  • Nigeria’s northern protesters and Russian flag

    Nigeria’s northern protesters and Russian flag

    The August 1-10 hunger protests, much more than the October 2020 EndSARS protests, serve as the clearest indication of how easily a country united only in law rather than in fact is susceptible to failure. In the core North, where the protests were the most sever, Russian flag became the totemistic indication of the rebellion afoot in a region ravaged for years by hunger, squalor, banditry and Boko Haram insurgency. The offending flag did not pop out suddenly and accidentally. Its introduction was the deliberate action of a few masterminds, domestic and external, intent upon signaling their hidden objectives, hoping the unrest could cascade into a revolution as the national organisers of the protests planned. The protests might not have been planned to deliberately culminate in the waving of the Russian flag, however, given the manner it was sewn by tailors, it seemed to have taken advantage of the protests. The government saw through the plot and warned of the protests’ hijack, but many Nigerians fussy about the law and protesters’ constitutional rights refused to give the government the benefit of the doubt.

    Waving the Russian flag, or any foreign flag for that matter, was until the recent protests unprecedented in Nigeria. Whether the legal and constitutional purists of the South who vociferously championed the protests realised the significance of the Russian flag in the hunger protests is hard to tell. A few activists immediately denounced the novelty and distanced themselves from the flag and the protests, but some others were too embarrassed to condemn the novelty outright, preferring instead to focus on the government’s response to the criminality unleashed on the streets two or three days after the protests began. In any case, the introduction of the Russian flag accounted in large part for the fizzling out of the protests, particularly in the South, except Rivers State which belatedly tried to take advantage of the crisis to settle political scores. More people will be wary next time in embracing protests with amorphous objectives and indiscernible leadership. But it is now too late not to recognise that, truly, the republic is endangered. The republic was never really a republic, and Nigeria was never really a nation, a disturbing fact now accentuated by the Russian flag. But far more worrisomely, it is clear that the events of the past one year or more in Niger Republic, especially the coup by military officers and their cohabitation with Russia, not to talk of the substitution of France and the United States, hold tremendous attraction south of the border.

    It remains uncertain, however, whether that attraction is spread evenly among the populace in the core North or limited only to a few members of the political elite eternally infatuated with power and besotted to ethnic exceptionalism. If the protests had lasted for a few more days, there is no telling whether the flag-waving would not have snowballed into a full-scale rebellion. The government is still trying to unravel the protesters’ fascination with the Russian flag. Was it because of the vaunted blood kinship between Niger Republic and the northern Nigerian states of Katsina, Kano, Jigawa and others? Or was it because of the new suitor the military rulers of Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Mali have found in Russia? Or was it even more primordial than that, a throwback to the religious idealism that had seen the North convulsed by decades of fundamentalist eruptions such as Maitatsine and now Boko Haram and banditry? Russia’s attraction to some countries may be because it does not impose its worldview on any satellite state, but it is also a country in great flux, bedeviled by wars, amoral politics, and human rights violations. Worse, unable to pacify its intransigent neighbours, and still bleeding badly from battle reverses, Russia may not be as effective in defending its African satellite states as France and the US had been for decades.

    Read Also: Fed Govt terminates Kano-Maiduguri road contract by Dantata & Sawoe

    After dissociating themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have formed a confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Their young and dashing military rulers, not to say their ambitious economic and social programmes which they say are designed to help form a politically united AES, may fascinate the youths of Nigeria’s far North. But that fascination has probably glossed over the many contradictions rearing their ugly heads in the three countries. The new military rulers have painted a rosy picture of economic progress and inspired citizenry, but the reality has been numbingly different. Neither the fight against jihadist insurgencies in the three states nor economic revival, nor yet social and political stability, has proceeded as the military rulers planned or glamourised. However, the common denominator of the coups is the backing Russia gives to the three countries to cement their independence from France and give them the freedom and latitude to be masters of their own fate. But freedom has its limitations, and power has its responsibility. Until Russia is able to vanquish Ukraine, the AES is unlikely to receive the volume of help needed to defeat the jihadist insurgencies convulsing the three Sahelian countries.

    But while Nigeria’s northern protesters fantasised about Russia’s national flag and what it symbolised for their ‘freedom’, Nigeria appears concerned that some of the Nigerian protesters as well as elements from Niger Republic may be synergising the flag-waving stratagem to cement their consanguineous relationship. It is not clear whether discrete probes will unearth the whole truth behind the flag-waving antic, but it was no accident. If it was not a bluff by northern politicians engaged in political brinkmanship, then it may indicate something far more sinister – a tentative move towards secession from Nigeria and union with the Sahel States of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

  • Police: violent Rivers protesters attacking shop owners, motorists

    Police: violent Rivers protesters attacking shop owners, motorists

    The Rivers State Police Command  yesterday  warned protesters against harassment of residents. The command said  the original organisers of the ongoing   protest on  economic crisis  in the state have lost control of the crowd.

    The police, in a statement  by the  Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said hoodlums had hijacked the protest resulting in criminal activities.

    The so-called protesters, according to the Force,  were harassing other residents going about their lawful businesses .

    The statement said the protesters were  disrupting the traffic flow, forcing passersby to attach leaflets to their vehicles, erecting canopies on main roads, destroying billboards, threatening traders to cease operations, and setting  bonfire on the roads.

    The police insisted that such actions were uncharacteristic of a peaceful protest.

    Read Also: Kano: When protesters crossed the line

    The statement advised the protesters to confine their activities to the designated areas of Abali Park and Pleasure Park and cautioned that any disturbance of the peace would be firmly resisted.

    The police vowed that individuals found taking the law into their own hands would be arrested and prosecuted. They  called  on parents and guardians to rein in their children and wards.

    The statement added: “Protesters are strongly advised to restrict themselves to the designated protest areas. The Rivers State Police Command will not tolerate any breach of peace or unlawful activities, and will take decisive action to restore order and protect the safety of all residents”.

    Thugs harass journalist, beat up protesters in Rivers

     A journalist was harassed by thugs while attempting to cover the  protest on economic crisis  in Port Harcourt.

    A  group of thugs was  said to have  positioned themselves directly opposite the Federal Secretariat in Port Harcourt, intimidating and chasing away both journalists and protesters.

    Witnesses  said  two protesters were   beaten while police officers stood by and did nothing.

    A journalist was also  threatened by the thugs who stated that they were there to ensure no protest would take place today.

    The Federal Secretariat on the Port Harcourt /Aba express road has been a gathering point for the protesters for the past seven days .

    When contacted, the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Disu expressed concern over the incident, promising a thorough investigation to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.

  • Kano: When protesters crossed the line

    Kano: When protesters crossed the line

    • By Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu

    Sir: The recent nationwide protests in Nigeria, sparked by widespread economic hardship have brought to the forefront the complex dynamics between peaceful advocacy and violent outbursts.

    In Kano State, the protests revealed a troubling transition from legitimate grievances to chaos, highlighting the thin line between civic expression and lawlessness. The movement, initially rooted in calls for improved governance and economic relief, quickly escalated into violence in several states, including Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa.

    Tragically, at least 17 people were reported dead, with security forces clashing with demonstrators. In Kano, one person was killed, marking a tragic turn in what began as a peaceful demonstration. The protest in Kano, like in other parts of the country, began peacefully but soon spiralled out of control.

    Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of escalating tension, where demonstrators initially blocked highways and harassed motorists. In a particularly disturbing incident, protesters in Kano targeted the newly established Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) office.

    The building, symbolizing a step towards greater digital connectivity and innovation, was looted and set ablaze. Everything, from office furniture to technological equipment, was taken or destroyed. This act of vandalism not only disrupted a crucial public service but also symbolized a broader collapse of order and respect for public property.

    During the protests, a poignant moment occurred when a female protester, carrying her baby, confronted police officers. Her husband had been killed by bandits in Katsina, and she came to the protest to voice her frustration with the government’s failure to address widespread insecurity and economic hardship.

    “Do they also want to kill my baby?” she asked, highlighting the desperation felt by many Nigerians.

    Read Also: Economic sabotage: NNPCL, NMDPRA, others deny complicity

    The government’s response has been a mix of force and appeals for dialogue. Security forces, using teargas and pepper spray, tried to disperse the crowds, while helicopters overhead released additional teargas to control the situation. The use of such measures, however, did little to quell the unrest and instead fuelled anger and defiance.

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike called for dialogue, emphasizing the government’s willingness to engage with the protesters.

    The chaos in Kano and other states serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for economic and social reforms in Nigeria. While the protests highlight legitimate concerns over governance, security, and economic management, the turn to violence undermines these issues’ seriousness. 

    The destruction of public property, looting, and loss of lives cannot be condoned, as they detract from the core message of the protests and harm innocent citizens. Moving forward, it is crucial for both the government and protest leaders to find common ground. The government must not only listen to the demands of the people but also provide tangible solutions to the problems of unemployment, inflation, and insecurity.

    On the other hand, protest organizers must emphasize peaceful demonstration and discourage violence. The recent events in Kano and across Nigeria reflect a broader crisis of governance and trust. It is a wake-up call for all stakeholders to address the root causes of the discontent and work towards a more equitable and just society.

    Only through constructive engagement and mutual respect can Nigeria hope to navigate these turbulent times and build a future that meets the aspirations of all its citizens.

    •Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu,

    abdulhamidabdullahiali@ gmail.com

  • It’s time for true reflections, Delta monarch begs protesters, govts

    It’s time for true reflections, Delta monarch begs protesters, govts

    The Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West  Local Government  Area of Delta State, Obukowho Whiskey, Udurhie I, has  spoken on the need for reflections and frank talks following the protests on economic crisis  across the country.

    The monarch also begged the protesters to stop their agitations, noting their demands have been heard.

    In a statement  in Warri, he described the protests as one that elicited “mixed feelings”.

    Hailing the protesters who conducted themselves “peacefully,” he urged them to suspend their actions and give room for dialogue.

    Udurhie I stated that the ongoing destructions perpetuated by hoodlums under the guise of protesting, in some parts of the country, had become worrisome.

    Parts of the statement read: “I cannot help but conclude that the core messages of hunger, insecurity, inflation, and the noticeable disconnect between the ruling class and the ordinary Nigerian have been well passed, and it’s time for true reflections and frank talk.

    “The avoidable deaths and destruction of properties, including outright looting of businesses, in the course of the protests in some parts of the country cannot and will not bring needed solutions. But I must commend our young children, who have conducted themselves well during the period of the protest.

    “No doubt, there is hardship on the land. Our people are hungry, but the government has assured us they are doing everything to lift Nigerians out of this present phase.

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    “We should redirect our energy and human resources towards using dialogue and alternative dispute resolutions to address issues of national interest, as the patriotic desire of mass protest promoters has now been hijacked and serious care is required to come out of this without collateral damages. I passionately beg you, my children, to suspend the protest in the interest of our country.

    “Peaceful protest, as enshrined in the nation’s constitution, does not give room for these wanton destructions of private and public properties. The President, as a true democrat and father, should look between the lines and adopt a more people-oriented approach to resolving this national uprising.

    “The issue raised should be critically appraised, and the needed solutions that can address those issues that are affecting the living standards of ordinary Nigerians should be looked into using the father-and-son relationship approach.

    “Let’s look inward and promote things that unite the nation rather than things that divide us. Let peace reign supreme in our land”.

    Noting that the Federal Government alone cannot tackle the problem, the traditional ruler added, “I solemnly call on the government at all levels in the country to urgently design policies and programmes especially in the areas of security and agriculture, to tackle the nation’s multifaceted problems.

    “The Federal Government cannot do it alone. The states and local governments must collaborate with the centre irrespective of political linings, to save our motherland”.

  • PRP commends peaceful protesters, condemns rioters

    PRP commends peaceful protesters, condemns rioters

    …offers alternative to APC’s rule

    The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has commended Nigerian youths who held peaceful protests across the nation while condemning rioters who infiltrated the protests to destroy public property and steal goods.

    The party, in a release issued by its national chairman, Falalu Bello, demanded a full investigation into the use of live ammunition by security agencies during the protests, resulting in loss of lives and limbs.

    The PRP also demands legislation defining rules of engagement between protesters and security agencies, prohibiting the use of live ammunition in future protests.

    “The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) commends the Nigerian youths who held largely peaceful protests across the nation, as we saw them in places like Ibadan in Oyo State conducting themselves peacefully and clearly making their demands of the All Progressive Congress (APC) government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for good governance in Nigeria.

    “We, on the other hand, condemn, in very strong terms, the rioters who infiltrated the peaceful protests in places like Kano and Kaduna States to destroy public property, breach into shops and buildings to steal goods of ordinary Nigerians and the public.

    “As protests are part and parcel of the plural democracy Nigerians have chosen for themselves, we demand full investigation and accountability for the loss of lives and limbs through the use of live ammunition by the Nigerian State Security agencies in many locations where there were killings and maiming of Nigerian citizens. The investigations should establish those responsible and be made to account for their misdeeds.

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    “Moving forward, we demand of our Legislatures in the National Assembly, legislation that defines rules of engagements of protesters in Nigeria with the security agencies during protests that, inter alia, should prohibit the use of live ammunition in all future protests. The use of live ammunition to control protests in Nigeria must be stopped”, the release said.

    In response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address to the nation, PRP criticizes the administration’s claims of increased revenue and social spending, attributing the increases to the devaluation of the national currency.

    The party offers alternatives to address concerns, including reducing the cost of governance, prosecuting corruption cases, addressing insecurity, and stopping wasteful expenditures.

    PRP, however, presented itself as an alternative to the APC, promising to unveil its programs and policies to prove it can do better.

    The party calls on Nigerian youths to vote out the APC government through the ballot box in the next election.

  • Police issue fresh warning to Rivers protesters

    Police issue fresh warning to Rivers protesters

    The Rivers Police Command on Wednesday morning warned that the original organisers of the ongoing hardship protest in the State have lost control of the crowd.

    A statement by Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said hoodlums had hijacked the protest resulting in criminal activities. 

    The police said the so-called protesters were harassing other residents going about their lawful business activities.

    The statement said the protesters were  disrupting the traffic flow, forcing passersby to attach leaflets to their vehicles, erecting canopies on main roads, destroying billboards, threatening traders to cease operations, and setting tires ablaze on the roads.

    The police insisted that such actions were uncharacteristic of a peaceful protest.

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    The statement advised the protesters to confine their activities to the designated areas of Abali Park and Pleasure Park and cautioned that any disturbance of the peace would be firmly resisted.

    The police vowed that individuals found taking the law into their own hands would be arrested and prosecuted, calling on parents and guardians to rein in their children and wards.

    The statement reads “The Rivers State Police Command has become aware that the ongoing protests in the state have been hijacked by hoodlums, resulting in criminal activities. The original organizers have lost control of the crowd.

    “The so-called protesters have resorted to harassing other residents going about their lawful business activities. They have disrupted traffic flow, forced passersby to attach leaflets to their vehicles, erected canopies on main roads, destroyed billboards, threatened traders to cease operations, and set tires ablaze on the roads – actions that are uncharacteristic of a peaceful protest.

    “Protesters are advised to confine their activities to the designated areas of Abali Park and Pleasure Park. Any disturbance of the peace will be firmly resisted, and individuals found taking the law into their own hands will be arrested and prosecuted.

    “The police hereby warn that the situation has been taken over by hoodlums and call on parents and guardians to rein in their children and wards.

    “Protesters are strongly advised to restrict themselves to the designated protest areas. The Rivers State Police Command will not tolerate any breach of peace or unlawful activities, and will take decisive action to restore order and protect the safety of all residents”.

  • Protesters desert MKO stadium on day 6

    Protesters desert MKO stadium on day 6

    The #EndBadGovernance protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is gradually losing momentum.

    Our correspondent who moved round the nation’s capital reports that no protester was sighted even at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium where they were restricted by the government.  

    The protest, which began on Thursday, August 1, had large demonstrators in parts of the city namely the National Stadium, Berger, Eagle Square, Unity Fountain, and Nyanya axis of the city on the first and second days.

    The locations were filled with a heavy presence of security operatives.

    People were seen going about their normal businesses and other regular activities, unlike the previous days when everywhere was deserted or filled with protesters.

    President Bola Tinubu during his broadcast last Sunday outlined some strides his administration had made in reforming Nigeria’s economy; despite the hardships many citizens continue to face.

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    He added that the violent protests that erupted in many states would only set the country backwards and make the government use scarce resources for rebuilding rather than improve on things that already exist.

    “As President of this country, I must ensure public order. In line with my constitutional oath to protect the lives and property of every citizen, our government will not stand idly by and allow a few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart

    “Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organizers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Protesters suspend demostration over Osun Osogbo festival

    BREAKING: Protesters suspend demostration over Osun Osogbo festival

    The protesters of the ongoing protest in Osun state have suspended demonstration against hunger and others over the upcoming 2024 Osun Osogbo festival. 

    The decision was reached after presenting protest letter to Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, which was received by his deputy, Kola Adewusi at state secretariat. 

    Adewusi assured the protesters that the governor would deliver the letter to President Bola Tinubu and also do everything possible to continue delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state. 

    The protesters under the aegis of coalition for concerned Nigeria Citizens, Osun state through Comrade Adetunji Ajala during a news briefing at NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Osogbo declared that the demonstration is suspended indefinitely because of the upcoming 2024 Osun Osogbo Festival which grand finale slated for Friday. 

    Ajala said: “We, the coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens, the organizing body of the EndBadGovernance protest in Osun state, wish to address the public and the media regarding the ongoing protest, which began on the 1st of August 2024 and marks its 6th day today.

    “Since the inception of this peaceful protest, we have made our demands clear, seeking immediate action from our leaders to address the pressing issues affecting the citizens of our beloved state and country. 

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    “We acknowledge the recent address by the President of Nigeria; however, we express our profound disappointment as the President speech failed to address any of our specific demands. Despite this setback, today we successfully presented our demands to the Governor of Osun State through the deputy governor and secretary to the state government who told us that the governor will forward our demands to the federal executive Council.  

    “Furthermore, we reviewed the security situation vis-a- vis the Osun Osogbo festival presently ongoing at Osogbo. It is worthy of note to establish that protest is incidentally taking place in Osogbo which is of concern.

    “Considering the safety of the influx of tourists coming for the global Osun osogbo festival and the possibility of hoodlums disguising as tourist and unleashing attacks on peaceful protesters amidst other security concerns, we consider it imperative to put the protest on hold today 6th August, 2024.”

  • Protesters leave Gani Fawehinmi Park in Lagos

    Protesters leave Gani Fawehinmi Park in Lagos

    Normalcy has returned to the Gani Fawehunmi Park Ojota in Lagos State after five days of protests against hardship by some groups , the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    A correspondent of NAN ,who was at park on Tuesday, observed that protesters had left the place and that  more than 40 vehicles belonging to security agencies were seen stationed at the park.

    The vehicles parked at the front gate of the park included those of the police , Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps , Department of State Service and Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency and the military.

    NAN also observed that security  vehicles were parked on the service lanes of the Ojota-Ikorodu Road.

    A resident of Ojota,who pleaded anonymity,  told NAN that the organisers of the protest suspended the protest Monday evening, for reasons not disclosed.

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    He said that a handful og protesters was at the park early Tuesday to continue the protest,  but decided to retreat when they sighted heavy security presence at the park .

    “Few members of that group were around this morning, but when they tried to gather, security operatives dispersed them,ensuring normalcy ,’’ he said.

    The Lagos Police Command Spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, told NAN that apart from  Ojota ,normalcy had returned to other parts of the state.

    Hundeyin said that security personnel would remain at Ojota Park for a while before pulling out completely to ensure that trouble makers did not gathered there again.

    (NAN)