Protesters have once again gathered in Lagos and Port Harcourt, continuing their demonstrations for a third day to highlight the severe challenges facing Nigerians. These protests, which began on August 1, aim to draw attention to the country’s inflation crisis, with rates soaring to 34 percent and basic necessities becoming unaffordable for millions of households.
Despite appeals from authorities and religious leaders to halt the protests after two days, demonstrators resumed early Saturday morning, holding placards and chanting slogans in Lagos’ Ojota area and at Pleasure Park in Port Harcourt. The protesters’ demands include the reversal of the fuel subsidy removal and greater sensitivity to the economic hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Police officers were present at both locations to ensure peaceful proceedings, although some disruptions to economic activities were noted.
In Port Harcourt, the protest venue has become increasingly active, with participants waving Nigerian flags and refusing to back down despite calls for them to disperse. The Counter Terrorism Unit of the Rivers State Police Command was visible, emphasizing a strong security presence.
Additional protests were reported in Benin City, Edo State, creating a carnival-like atmosphere.
Looting, Curfews, Arrests
While the first two days of protests were largely peaceful across Nigeria, there were instances of violence, looting, and clashes with security forces. States like Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Jigawa, and Nasarawa experienced significant disruptions, leading to curfews and arrests as authorities sought to control the situation.
Calls for Calm and Dialogue
Political and religious leaders, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Sultan of Sokoto, and the President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), have urged protesters to suspend their activities and allow the government time to address their concerns. They emphasized that civil unrest would only worsen the country’s fragile state.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ebun-Oluwa Adegboruwa also called for an immediate and indefinite suspension of the protests, advocating for meaningful dialogue with the government to avoid further violence and casualties.
The Nigerian Army condemned the looting and violence, appealing to protesters to avoid destruction and consider the broader impact on the nation.
Protests to Continue
Despite these appeals, the protest organizers, represented by the Take It Back Movement, have insisted on continuing until their demands are met. Damilare Adenola, the group’s Director of Mobilization, rejected Adegboruwa’s representation, stating that the protests would persist until the government responds satisfactorily.
