LIVE Updates: Nationwide protests in Nigeria – Day 2
The nationwide protests against economic hardship and rising living costs have entered their second day, with demonstrations taking place in various cities across Nigeria.
Scheduled to persist until Saturday, August 10, 2024, these protests have been driven by widespread frustration over rising living costs and poor economic conditions in the country.
Ibadan, Oyo State:Â Calm Returns
In Ibadan, normalcy appears to have returned as commuters and citizens resume their daily activities.
On the first day of protests, the city witnessed a sit-at-home order, resulting in closed businesses. However, by Friday, August 2, the situation had stabilized.
Ikeja Lagos: Popular Computer Village, Ikeja, Empty
In Lagos, the usually bustling Computer Village is empty today.
Abuja: ‘Hunger dey, hunger dey’; Tear Gas Deployed
In Abuja, a detachment of fully armed Nigerian Police forcefully dispersed a group of protesters around the Berger Bridge.
The protesters, chanting ‘Hunger dey oo, hunger dey ooo’ (There’s hunger, there’s hunger), were met with tear gas.
Passers-by and motorists, caught off-guard, accused the Police of high-handedness.
An Abuja high court had earlier confined protesters to the MKO Abiola National Stadium, a directive urged by Federal Capital Territory Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Thursday night.
Protest leaders, however, claim they were not served a copy of the court order.
Alausa Lagos: Prayers Before Protest
The protesters began with a prayer session at Alausa, Ikeja, before proceeding with their demonstration.
Abuja: Quiet on Day 2
On the second day of the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest, Abuja, the country’s capital, has become quiet.
Reports indicate that the MKO Abiola Stadium and Eagle Square, which were active yesterday, are now empty, with only security forces and armored tanks present.
The Nigerian Army, police, and other security forces continue to patrol the city to prevent a recurrence of yesterday’s events.
Katsina: Curfew Imposed, 50 Arrested
In Katsina, the State Police Command has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Dutsinma Local Government Area and a 7pm to 7am curfew on the rest of the state. Protests within the state are banned.
ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the Command spokesperson, stated that over 50 suspects have been arrested for vandalizing public and private properties.
The Command emphasized there are no fatalities from police actions and appealed to parents to monitor their children.
The Command warned that curfew violators would face severe penalties.
Kaduna: Protester Arrested in Police Camouflage
In Kaduna, police dealt with miscreants who hijacked the protests, vandalizing government and private properties.
Among those arrested was a man dressed in police camouflage uniform. The State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Ali Dabigi, called on parents to restrain their children from engaging in violent acts and assured continued efforts to maintain law and order.
As the nationwide protests continue, the first day saw 14 individuals killed, and curfews declared in Yobe, Kano, and Borno States.