Nigeria on High Alert After Protests Leave 13 Dead
Nigeria’s security forces have been put on high alert following nationwide protests on Thursday that resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people. Thousands of Nigerians took to the streets to demonstrate against poor governance, corruption, and the increasing cost of living in Africa’s most populous nation.
The Human Rights group Amnesty International reported that 13 individuals were killed by security forces attempting to disperse the protesters, accusing the police of shooting indiscriminately at peaceful demonstrators.
Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), a pan-African organization supporting local communities, shed light on the underlying causes of the protests.
“The core of the protest is the economic hardship that Nigerians have been facing since this government came to power,” Oluwafemi explained. “There were high hopes when the current president took office in May 29, but those hopes have been dashed as economic recovery remains out of sight.”
Oluwafemi pointed to several government policies exacerbating the economic strain, such as the removal of subsidies, the floating of the naira (Nigeria’s currency), and higher electricity bills, which have deeply affected Nigerians’ pockets. “The cost of living, including food, energy, and transportation, has skyrocketed,” he said. “Nigerians are demanding good governance and an end to corruption, not just prosperity for a few, but for all.”
The protests have been marked by significant unrest, particularly in northern states where curfews have been declared. Oluwafemi lamented the loss of life, noting that while some protests, like those in Lagos, remained largely peaceful, violence erupted in other areas. “It is the right of citizens to peacefully protest as part of democracy, and it is the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens and ensure that criminal elements do not exploit such situations,” he stated.
The reaction to the deaths has been one of sorrow and frustration. “It’s so sad that peaceful protests in Nigeria often turn deadly,” Oluwafemi remarked. “The security forces should not use excessive force. The type of force displayed in Abuja was unnecessary, and restricting where Nigerians can protest breeds this kind of violence.”
The Nigerian government faces criticism for its handling of the protests and the actions of its security forces. “The government needs to reorient the police to understand that it is the democratic right of Nigerians to protest peacefully,” Oluwafemi urged.
As Nigeria grapples with these ongoing issues, the call for accountability and reform remains strong among its citizens, highlighting the critical need for a balanced approach to governance and law enforcement.
