Economic activity is picking up in some regions following the first day of the #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria. In cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Benin City, the protests have persisted as demonstrators demand improvements to the challenging economic conditions.
In Lagos, protesters gathered in Ojota, where security forces were present to ensure the event proceeded smoothly. Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, addressed the crowd, promising that the government would address their concerns.
Port Harcourt saw a similar scenario, with protesters marching from Pleasure Park to the Federal Secretariat, where police later addressed the situation.
In Abuja, hundreds of protesters assembled at Berger Roundabout, but police used teargas to disperse them. The protesters later regrouped at Moshood Abiola Stadium.
Kaduna remained relatively calm with no visible protests on the streets.
The protests were mostly peaceful across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT on the first day. However, in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and Borno, there were incidents of violence, killings, and looting, leading to curfews being imposed by local governments.
Calls for the protests had intensified on social media in the days leading up, as Nigerians, struggling with economic hardship and rising costs, demanded the restoration of petroleum subsidies and other reforms.
Security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), had issued warnings against the protests. In response to the unrest, President Bola Tinubu signed a new minimum wage of N70,000 and introduced other measures, including palliatives, in an attempt to quell the protests.
On Thursday, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun reported that some police officers were killed on the first day of the protests. He noted that police stations were damaged and there were attempts to seize government buildings.
“In places like FCT, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe, there were unprovoked attacks on our personnel. One policeman was murdered, and others were seriously injured. The Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on high alert, ready to respond swiftly to maintain public safety and order,” Egbetokun said.
However, the United Action Front of Civil Society criticized the use of tear gas on protesters. “Protesters, sensing potential violence, moved peacefully to Eagle Square, only to be met with tear gas and violence from security forces. Several protesters were injured, and three reportedly fainted,” the group stated.
While the protests are planned to continue for 10 days, authorities hope the demonstrators will reconsider their actions.
