The End Bad Governance protests, widely known by the hashtags #EndBadGovernance or #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, are a series of ongoing decentralized mass protests in Nigeria[4] due to the rising cost of living in the country. The demonstrations escalated on 1 August 2024 when a once peaceful protest turned violent after the Nigerian Army and police attempted to quell the protests.[5][6]
| End Bad Governance protests | |
|---|---|
| Date | August 1, 2024 – August 10, 2024 (planned) |
| Location | |
| Caused by | Economic hardship |
| Goals | Reverse economic reforms of the Bola Tinubu administration |
| Methods |
|
| Status | Ongoing |
| Lead figures | |
Decentralized protesters (organised by various activist groups)[1] | |
| Casualties | |
| Death(s) | 15 protesters |
| Injuries | 4 protesters[2] |
| Arrested | 1 journalist[3] 31+ protesters |
Background
editThe End Bad Governance protests stemmed from Nigeria's growing economic hardship and hunger, which BBC reporter Simi Jolaoso described as the "worst economic crisis in a generation", due to record inflation, especially on food prices. Some experts have linked the crisis to the execution of economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the devaluation of the naira following the removal of its peg to the US dollar, under president Bola Tinubu designed to liberalise the Nigerian economy and attract foreign investment.[7] Various members of the government, including Tinubu himself, have attempted to dissaude protestors, with some measures to financially support young people being announced.[7] Protests started on 29 July 2024 as demonstrators were seen on the streets displaying placards with messages like "Enough is Enough," "Stop Anti-Masses Policies," "We Are Not Slaves In Our Country," "Hardship Is Unbearable," and "Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back."[8][9][10][11] In response, the Nigerian Army on 29 July 2024 blocked major roads leading to Abuja, the capital.[12]
Casualties and arrests
editOn 1 August being the first day of the protests, scores were killed by the Army and Police in a bid to disperse the protesters across Nigeria. 4 were shot dead in Borno State and 4 in Niger State.[13][14][15] 3 protesters were also reportedly killed in Kaduna State and 2 in Jigawa State, bringing the total number deaths to at least 14.[16][17] While in Kano State, 4 protesters were critically injured and taken to the hospital.[2] Jide Oyekunle, a photojournalist with Daily Independent, was arrested and detained by police while reporting on the protests at Eagle Square in Abuja.[18]
A report from the United Action Front of Civil Society states that 21 protesters were killed and over 1,100 arrested by Nigerian police on the first day of the protests. Additionally, 175 people were injured.[19]
On 2 August, 1 protester was killed in Abuja by the Nigerian police.[20] The Nigerian State Security Service (SSS) arrested two organizers of the protests, identified as Kabir Shehu Yandaki and Habibu Ruma, in Katsina State.[21]
Reactions
editSimon Ekpa, Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), reacted to the decline in South-East residents participating in the nationwide protests. He emphasized that the South-East's response demonstrates their loyalty to the Biafra Government.[22][23]
Amnesty International called on the Nigerian government to urgently put measures in place to protect protesters' rights.[24]
The United Action Front of Civil Society condemned the violent disruption of the nationwide protests by Nigerian security operatives. The CSO called on the Inspector-General of Police to prevent further violence, expressing disappointment with the police's actions despite prior assurances of peaceful conduct during the protests.[25]
Timeline of events
edit29 August
editBefore the planned start of the demonstrations, some protestors blocked the Abuja–Kaduna Highway[26] and marched in Niger State.[27]
1 August
editProtests began peacefully across Nigeria in States such as Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe Jigawa, Bornu, and the capital Abuja but turned violent after the Nigeria Police Force shot tear gas and live bullets at protesters in Abuja in an attempt to disperse them.[28] A journalist identified as Jide Onyekunle was arrested.[18]
Police declared a 24-hour curfew in Bornu state amid protests.[29] Protests turned violent in Kano, Jigawa and Gombe States as police used live ammunition to disperse the protesters.[30][31] A curfew was also declared in Kano, Jigawa, Yobe and Katsina States.[32]
Three protesters were killed by the police in Kaduna after protesters barricaded the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.[16]
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike said the Nigerian government was ready for dialogue.[33]
More than five protesters were arrested by the police as they tried to enforce the restriction of protesters to Eagle Square in the centre of Abuja. A police helicopter was also deployed to scare the protesters; however, the protesters defied the order.[34] At least 25 protesters were arrested in Kaduna State after the security forces used tear gas to disperse them as they tried to break into the Kaduna State Government House.[35]
Angry protesters burnt down the All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat in Jigawa State[36]
2 August
editProtests continue in cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Benin City. Some areas like Abuja and Akwa Ibom State experienced police teargas dispersal. Curfews were imposed in several states, including Kano, Kaduna, and Borno, due to violence but were defied by the protesters.[37][20][38]
An immigration officer in Maiduguri's Bulunkutu area accidentally shot himself in the foot three times while trying to barricade protesters in the Borno State capital.[39]
The Nigerian military called for both local and international media to stop covering the #EndBadGovernance protests, citing that many protesters seek media attention. This appeal was made by the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, who emphasized that the protests should not be given coverage akin to elections. Additionally, reports indicate that telecom networks are being slowed down to hinder information flow from the protests.[40]
One protester was killed following a clash between armed security operatives and protesters marching from MKO Abiola National Stadium to Eagle Square at the Central Business District junction in Abuja.[20]
The State Security Service, SSS arrested two organizers of the protests in Katsina state.[21]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Hardship protest: Organisers dare FG, insist on August rallies". 27 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Nigeria protests: Curfew imposed and shots fired in Kano crackdown on 'hunger' demonstrators". BBC News. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ https://saharareporters.com/2024/08/01/nigeria-police-arrest-daily-independent-journalist-covering-endbadgovernance-protest#:~:text=A%20photo%20journalist%20with%20Daily,Square%20in%20Abuja%20on%20Thursday.
- ^ Ahmed, Abdulateef (1 August 2024). "#EndBadGovernance Protests Begin Across Nigerian Cities". News Central TV. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "#EndBadGovernance Protesters Gather At Abuja Stadium, Kick Off Demonstration Under Heavy Security". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Mojeed, Abdulkareem (1 August 2024). "#EndBadGovernance: Protests turn violent in Kano, Gombe, Abuja". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ a b Jolaoso, Simi. "Nigerians vow 'days of rage' over economic hardships". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Ogunrinde, Folashade (28 July 2024). "#EndBadGovernance Protest: Requesting location, organisers' identities constitutional - Police". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Nigeria, News Agency of (27 July 2024). "FG tightens security at Nigerian borders ahead of #EndBadGovernance protest". Peoples Gazette Nigeria. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Rapheal (28 July 2024). "Nigerians divided over #EndBadGovernance protest". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Abuja Residents Shout 'We're Hungry' Amid Tinubu Minister, Wike's Plea To Shun #EndBadGovernance Protests | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Soldiers 'take over' major Abuja road 72 hours to hunger protest - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com/. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Nigerian Army Personnel Shoot Dead Four #EndBadGovernance Protesters In Borno | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Ekile, Kachi (1 August 2024). "Protester shot in Borno, citizens scamper for safety". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Ariemu, Ogaga (1 August 2024). "August 1 protest: Several protesters reportedly shot dead in Niger". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ a b https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/08/protest-turns-violent-in-kaduna-3-feared-killed/
- ^ Raphel, Abah (1 August 2024). "BREAKING: Two dead, many wounded as protesters burn down APC Secretariat in Jigawa". Idoma Voice Newspaper. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Nigeria Police Arrest Daily Independent Journalist Covering #EndBadGovernance Protest In Abuja, Seize His Mobile Phone". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "BREAKING: 21 Protesters Killed During #EndBadGovernance Day 1, Over 1100 Arrested By Nigerian Police, Others – Report | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "Day 2, Live Update: One dead as protesters clash with security forces in Abuja". Vanguard News. 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Breaking: DSS arrests protest leaders in Katsina". Vanguard News. 2 August 2024.
- ^ Sunday, Ochogwu (1 August 2024). "'Biafrans have spoken in one voice' - Simon Ekpa reacts as South-East shuns hunger protest". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "Nationwide Protest: Ndigbo shuns protest, opens markets, demands unconditional release of Kanu". Vanguard News. 1 August 2024.
- ^ Ben, Ezeamalu (1 August 2024). "LIVE: Nigeria's days of rage arrive". The Africa Report.
- ^ Chibundu, Janefrances (1 August 2024). "'It's unacceptable' -- CSO kicks against disruption of protest by security personnel". TheCable. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Mohammed, Yakubu (29 July 2024). "Hardship: Protesters block major road leading to Abuja". Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "BREAKING: #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protest Begins In Niger State". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Cyril (1 August 2024). "Police open fire on protesters at Nyanya". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "Curfew declared amid hunger protest in Borno". Daily Trust. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Muhammad, Khaleel (1 August 2024). "Many injured as protests turn violent in Kano, Jigawa". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Mojeed, Abdulkareem (1 August 2024). "#EndBadGovernance: Protests turn violent in Kano, Gombe, Abuja". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "Nigerians hit with 24-hour curfews amid protests". BBC. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Amarachi (1 August 2024). "#EndbadgovernaceProtest: We're Ready For Dialogue - FCT Minister, Wike Begs Protesters". Tori.ng. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Philip, Ukpe (1 August 2024). "VIDEO: Police Crack Down On Protesters, Arrest Five". The Whistler.
- ^ Doris, Abraham (1 August 2024). "Police Arrest 25 Protesters In Kaduna". The Whistler.
- ^ Raphel, Abah (1 August 2024). "BREAKING: Two dead, many wounded as protesters burn down APC Secretariat in Jigawa". Idoma Voice Newspaper. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "Businesses Pick Up, Curfew Imposed As #EndBadGovernance Protests Continue". Channels Television. 2 August 2024.
- ^ "#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: Jigawa, Kano Residents Defy 24-hour Curfew, Continue Protest Against Hardship On Second Day | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Nigerian Immigration Officer 'Accidentally Shoots Self Three Times' While Barricading #EndBadGovernance Protesters In Maiduguri | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Oluwasanjo, Ahmed (2 August 2024). "Military calls for media blackout on #EndBadGovernance protests". Peoples Gazette Nigeria. Retrieved 3 August 2024.