Nationwide Protests Against Economic Hardship Enter Day 5, Security Operatives Use Tear Gas on Protesters
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The #EndBadGovernance protests, which have been ongoing for five days, took a dramatic turn on Monday when security operatives fired tear gas at pro-government protesters attempting to gain access to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. The incident occurred as #EndBadGovernance protesters had already gathered at the stadium for their daily demonstration.
Meanwhile, Ene Obi, a former Action Aid Country Director and one of the #EndBadGovernance protesters, urged adults to join the protests and express their dissatisfaction with the current economic hardship. She criticized adults for relying on young people to advocate for change, saying, “You can’t buy garri; garri is now 1500; as the last time, three weeks ago that I bought it, you had been that were almost 2500; then you have a tuber of yam, which is about 5 thousand naira.”
In a related development, security operatives also used tear gas to disperse protesters in the Gede and Jikwoyi areas of Abuja. However, in the Nyanya area, protesters were able to gather without incident, as security operatives stood by without using tear gas.
The protests have been marked by violence and looting, with commuters being molested and property damaged. The protesters have defied a court order confining them to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, leading to clashes with security operatives.
President Bola Tinubu addressed the nation on the issue less than 24 hours before the latest incident, but his words appear to have had little impact on the protesters. The protests continue to gain momentum, with demonstrators demanding relief from the economic hardship caused by rising prices and unemployment.
The use of tear gas by security operatives has raised concerns about the government’s handling of the protests and its commitment to protecting the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression. As the protests enter their fifth day, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the growing unrest and demands for change.
