1 month ago
7
Demonstrators in Lagos, Maiduguri, and other states demanded an end to corruption and economic mismanagement. Security forces used gunfire and tear gas to disperse crowds, resulting in two deaths in the country read more
 "2 killed as mass protests over cost-of-living crisis engulf African country")
People protest on the streets of Kano, Nigeria on august 1, 2024. AP
Security forces deployed gunfire and tear gas to disperse widespread protests across Nigeria on Thursday (August 1), as thousands of predominantly young demonstrators took to the streets to decry the nation’s most severe cost-of-living crisis in decades. At least two fatalities were reported.
The casualties were in northern Niger state, where protestors engaged in violent clashes with security forces after obstructing a major roadway, according to local media outlet Daily Trust.
Thousands take to the streets
In the economic hub of Lagos, approximately 1,000 people staged a peaceful march on the mainland, chanting “Tinubu Ole”—a Yoruba phrase meaning “Tinubu is a thief”—in reference to the president of Nigeria, reported Al Jazeera.
Elsewhere, hundreds rallied in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, Bauchi state, and various other regions, local media noted. Police reportedly fired live rounds in at least two additional states as demonstrators demanded immediate action to address the escalating economic crisis that has plunged many citizens of Africa’s leading oil producer into poverty.
‘Day of rage’
The demonstrations, labeled a “day of rage,” called for an end to systemic corruption and poor governance. Nigerians face soaring living costs, with food inflation at 40 per cent and fuel prices having tripled over the past year.
The protest movement, branded as #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria, gained traction online. Though there was no single group leading the protests, which were originally planned to last 10 days, calls for the demonstrations had over the past days gained momentum on social media and mounted pressure on the Nigerian government as millions struggle in the face of economic and security crises.
However, officials cautioned against mirroring recent violent protests in Kenya, which led to the government’s reversal of new tax policies.
Live footage from the protests revealed instances of looting and vandalism of public property. In response, three state governors imposed curfews, citing the infiltration of protests by violent agitators.
With inputs from AP
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
English (US) ·