Ahead of today’s nationwide protests, security forces have locked down Abuja, the nation’s capital, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna and some major cities across the country.
Nigerians, mostly young people, have called for demonstrations from August 1 over soaring costs.
Living costs spiked in Nigeria after President Bola Tinubu ended the fuel subsidy and eased foreign exchange controls after coming to power in May 2023.
Inflation hit record levels at 34.19 per cent in June, with food inflation more than 40.87 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The police, military and the Department of State Services (DSS) have warned against Kenya-styled protests.
Politicians, who surmised that the planned rallies might end up like the EndSARS demonstrations of October 2020, have continued to appeal to youths to shelve the planned rallies but the young people remain unfazed, doggedly insisting that the protests will hold.
In Abuja, security forces have taken over roads going into the city, namely, Kubwa Expressway, Nyanya-Maraba Expressway, and Airport roads. The development caused a major gridlock, as motorists were delayed for several hours.
The sound of siren of security officials also took over Abuja in a show of force ahead of the 10 days nationwide protest against bad governance.
Military checkpoints have also returned to areas such as Kugbo along Abuja-Keffi, in addition to increasing number of security personnel comprising the Police, Civil Defence, Immigration, and several others deployed across the city.
At the Eagle Square, Abuja, a large number of police and military personnel and their vehicles have been deployed around the area, while a large number of police officers were mobilised to Unity Fountain, Abuja, which is usually the place of convergence and also the starting point for such an event.
At the Kubwa axis of the expressway, long queues of vehicles trapped in the man-made traffic, occasioned by the blockade set up by military men, stretched up to 20 kilometres on Wednesday night.
In Lagos, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), and personnel from other services have been deployed to Ikeja, Obalende, Oworonshoki, Yaba, Ojuelegba and other areas.
The situation was similar in Benin City, Abeokuta, Kano and Ibadan.
Meanwhile, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has restricted participants to the MKO Abiola stadium also known as National Stadium.
The order of Justice Sylvanus Oriji was sequel to an ex parte motion filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Chief James Onoja, who moved the motion, argued that the reliefs sought were for the interest of national security.
Wike had applied for an order of interim injunction restraining the five leaders of the protesting groups from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, streets, offices and public premises within the FCT between August 1 to August 10, or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
He also applied for another order of interim injunction mandating the security agencies to prevent the protesting leaders from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, offices or public premises within the FCT between August 1 and 10, pending the hearing of his motion on notice.
The minister who said the Federal Government was not averse to the protest claimed that intelligence and security reports reaching him indicated that some elements within the leadership of the protesters intend to capitalise on the planned protest to cause havoc and irreparable damages to public facilities and blocking of roadways to prevent movement of persons and vehicles and disturb public peace.
He claimed that when he contacted the security agencies to ensure the planned protest did not degenerate into criminality and disturbance of public peace and order, he was told they were not well equipped to manage any crisis that may arise from the planned protest at a short notice hence they advised him that prevention is better than cure.
The Minister tendered an exhibit from the “Take it Back Movement, FCT” signed by one Damilare Adenola, in which they threatened to invade the Presidential Villa and also threatened to pull down the outer wires facing the Aso Rock villa during the protest
Besides, they demanded that the FCT provide them with a light as well as toilet facilities during the duration of the protest.
In his ruling, Justice Oriji, who recognised the rights of the protesters to embark on the protest, however restricted them to the Stadium in view of the genuine fears expressed by the minister
In Ogun State, a High Court also ordered sponsors of the protests to limit their activities to four locations in the state.
The court also restricted the time-frame to between 8 am and 5 pm.
Granting an application moved by the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, Justice O. Ogunfowora prohibited the protesters from protesting anywhere in the state except at the MKO Stadium, Abeokuta; Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Ota; Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu; and Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
The Attorney-General explained that the four locations are across the four divisions of the state in the three senatorial districts, allowing protesters in those vicinities to conveniently participate in the protests under adequate protection and without infringing on the rights of any non-protesting members of the public.
The judge, in his ruling, also prohibited any protest from taking place outside the hours of 8 am to 5 pm.
The judge further directed the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State to enforce the order and ensure that the protests are held only in the specified locations and during the time periods stated in the order.
The case was adjourned to August 6.
In spite of attempts to prevent the protest, the Federal Government appears to be in a state of fear, claiming that bandits, insurgents and other criminals were on the prowl to hijack the demonstration.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who made the claim on Wednesday at the presidential ministerial briefing in Abuja, however, said it was the rights of citizens to protest within the ambit of the law.
Meanwhile, the United State Mission in Nigeria has asked some of its staff not to come to work on the first two days of the planned nationwide protests.
Non-essential staff were advised to remain at home to avoid any disruptions that may result from the protests.
The advisory reads: “Media reports indicate that protesters are expected to begin gathering at Eagles Square in Abuja mid to late morning. In Lagos, protests may start as early as 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. and primary locations have been identified as Alausa Park, Freedom Park, and Peace Park.
“Additional possible protest sites in Lagos include Nahco Bus Stop (Airport Road), Marwa Bus Stop (Lekki-Epe Expressway), and Ikeja “Under the Bridge” (Intersection of Obafemi Awolowo and Allen Avenue).
“However, protests may occur at other times and locations in Abuja and Lagos, as well as in other cities and population centers in Nigeria over the coming days. Based on past occurrences, protests may involve roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion, and physical confrontations.
“There is a risk of terror attacks in Nigeria and terrorist groups may take advantage of opportunities created during the potential nation-wide protests to conduct attacks.”
“Actions to take: Avoid the areas of the protest; Avoid crowds; Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests; Monitor local media for updates; Be aware of your surroundings; Keep a low profile;Verify flight schedules with your airline, if you have travel plans; Review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency; and Carry proper identification.”
