ABUJA, Nigeria: Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for the suspension of nationwide protests and an end to the violence that has erupted in response to economic hardship.
The protests, which began last week, have seen thousands of demonstrators take to the streets to protest government policies and the high cost of living.
While police statistics indicate seven casualties and absolve security personnel of any blame, Amnesty International has charged them of killing at least thirteen protestors.
In a televised address, Tinubu appealed to the demonstrators to suspend further protests and allow for dialogue. He emphasized the need to prevent further violence and destruction, stating, “We must stop further bloodshed, violence, and destruction.”
Tinubu acknowledged the pain and frustration driving the protests and assured the public that the government is committed to addressing their concerns. He defended his record and outlined measures aimed at benefiting young Nigerians and improving the economy.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is grappling with high inflation and a devalued naira after Tinubu ended a fuel subsidy and liberalized the currency more than a year ago. These reforms, the government asserts, will benefit the economy in the long term. The protest movement, dubbed #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria, gained significant support online. However, officials have cautioned against emulating recent anti-government protests in Kenya, which led to the abandonment of new taxes there.
In the first two days of the protests, Nigerian police have detained about 700 persons on charges of armed robbery, arson, vandalism, and property destruction. Amnesty International has urged the police to release the demonstrators and to refrain from using live rounds to disperse crowds. On Friday, Amnesty accused security personnel of employing tactics designed to kill while dealing with gatherings of people protesting hunger and poverty.
In his address, Tinubu urged security operatives to maintain peace and order while respecting human rights conventions. Despite a reduction in protests on Saturday, security forces continued to use teargas on demonstrators in Abuja, and reports from residents in Kano indicated that police killed three people at a rally, including two minors and a pregnant woman. Police have not responded to requests for comment.
The protests highlight the deep economic and social issues facing Nigeria and the challenges the government must address to restore peace and stability.
