At least nine people were killed by Nigerian security forces as protests escalated into clashes with police amid the country’s economic crisis, a rights group reported on Friday.
The violence also resulted in the death of a police officer and injuries to several others, according to authorities.
The situation further deteriorated when a bomb explosion in the northeastern state of Borno claimed the lives of four individuals and left 34 others wounded.
The state, plagued by a prolonged war on militancy, has witnessed mass displacement and widespread hunger.
In response to the unrest, over 300 protesters were arrested, and curfews were imposed in five northern states following incidents of looting of government and public properties, as confirmed by Nigerian police.
Despite continued tear gas dispersals by the police, protesters regrouped on Friday, prompting the inspector general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to announce a red alert and potential military intervention.
In an interview with human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, one of the coordinators of the #EndBadGovernance protest, he emphasised that the protest would persist despite the security personnel’s attacks on protesters.
Adeyanju pointed out that the government should be held responsible for the violence during the protest, as they were repeatedly urged not to employ thugs, given the dire conditions Nigerians were facing. He expressed disappointment that despite these warnings, the government went ahead and recruited thugs.
Adeyanju also highlighted the peaceful nature of the protest, mentioning that the police responded with continuous teargas firing.
He held the Inspector General of Police accountable for the deaths of protesters, stating that through conversations with comrades from other states, it was evident that the protesters were peaceful, yet the police used force against them.
He questioned why the police would open fire on unarmed protesters, emphasising the right to express grievances. Stating, “During our peaceful protest at the Secretariat, the police unexpectedly opened fire on us. Today, as we gathered at Berger, the police resorted to teargas, and even at the National Stadium where we intended to continue our protest, they repeated their actions.”
Amnesty International’s Nigeria director, Isa Sanusi, independently verified the reported deaths, attributing them to the use of lethal tactics by security personnel.
The demonstrations primarily centered around food shortages, misgovernment, and corruption in Nigeria, a country with stark economic disparities despite its status as a major oil producer in Africa. Protesters demanded the reinstatement of fuel and electricity subsidies that were revoked as part of economic reforms.
While the police boss claimed their actions were aimed at ensuring peace, rights groups and activists disputed this, with Human Rights Watch researcher Anietie Ewang stating that the level of police response was excessive given the circumstances.
Authorities expressed concerns that the protests, fueled by social media momentum, could mirror past violent demonstrations in Nigeria or recent unrest in Kenya. As the situation remains tense, the country braces for further developments amid the ongoing crisis.
