When Peaceful Protest Turns Deadly

Nigeria is currently in the midst of a major crisis. Protests that started as peaceful demonstrations against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies have turned violent, and the actions of security agencies have come under intense criticism.

The protests began on August 1, 2024, when the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) called for people to march against President Tinubu’s policies, which removed subsidies on fuel and electricity. These policies, intended to fix the economy, have instead made life harder for many Nigerians. The NLC’s protests aimed to challenge these changes and demand better policies.

Unfortunately, what started as peaceful protests have often ended in violence. Reports show that in some northern states, protests turned violent, leading to curfews. In Abuja, where protests were initially peaceful, police attacked protesters with tear gas and other weapons. Amnesty International claims that at least 22 people have been killed, mostly by the police, though the police deny this.

The NLC has strongly condemned the government’s response. They accuse the government of using excessive force and trying to silence protesters. The union wants an independent investigation into the violence and calls for immediate help for those affected by the unrest.

Adding to the frustration, the government has been criticized for using old video clips of President Tinubu to distract from the real issues. Atiku Abubakar’s team has accused Tinubu’s media handlers of misleading the public and using propaganda instead of addressing the problems.

Voices from the Streets

Two Nigerian citizens shared their thoughts on the situation:

Oluwaseun, a 29-year-old from Lagos, said, “The government should fix the problems we’re protesting about instead of using force against us. We want fair policies, not violence.”

Chiamaka, a 34-year-old business owner from Abuja, criticized the police, saying, “It’s upsetting to see the police attac king people who are protesting peacefully. The government needs to listen to the people and stop this violence.”

As Nigeria faces this challenging time, it’s crucial that the government listens to the concerns of its people and ensures that protests are met with respect, not violence. Security agencies must be held accountable, and the government must work to solve the issues that led to these protests.