Curfews were ordered across several northern states in Nigeria after clashes erupted in the cities of Kano and Abuja. Protesters were demonstrating against food shortages, accusations of misgovernment, and corruption in the country. Photos from the protests show Nigerians holding placards with slogans calling for an end to bad governance and fair wages for workers in both public and private sectors. More than 300 protesters were arrested and curfews were imposed in five northern states after reports of looting government and public properties. Rights group Amnesty International reported at least 13 protesters killed in three northern states, but the authorities did not comment on these deaths.
Nigeria’s inspector general of police announced that the military could be called in for assistance as the country placed all police units on “red alert” to restore order. The police were prepared to respond to the situation with assistance from other security agencies if needed. Amnesty International accused security forces of using deadly tactics against protesters in Niger State, Maiduguri, and Kaduna. The organization claimed that the security personnel deliberately used tactics to kill while dealing with people protesting hunger and poverty. However, Kaduna State police spokesperson denied using live ammunition on protesters, stating that tear gas was the only form of crowd control used.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, reported that the number of protesters on the streets appeared to be smaller than the previous day. While the demonstrations continued, the level of participation seemed to have decreased. The protests spread across various cities, with protesters demanding an end to bad governance and fair wages. The situation escalated with clashes between security forces and protesters, leading to arrests and curfews being imposed in several northern states. Amnesty International raised concerns about the use of deadly force by security personnel during the protests, alleging that the tactics used were intended to kill.
The inspector general of police reassured the public that the police were prepared to handle the situation with assistance from other security agencies if necessary. Nigeria faced a challenging time as protests erupted nationwide over economic hardship, food shortages, misgovernment, and corruption. The authorities had not commented on the deaths of protesters reported by Amnesty International, raising concerns about the use of force by security forces. The protests highlighted the deep-seated issues facing Nigeria and the discontent among the population, leading to calls for reforms and better governance. It remained to be seen how the authorities would address the situation and whether further measures would be taken to restore order.
