#FearlessInOctober: Protests in Lagos, Ondo, Osun, halted in Abuja

Youths in Lagos and Ondo states took to the streets Tuesday to protest against the harsh economic conditions in Nigeria.

The demonstration, under the banner of #FearlessInOctober, was organised to coincide with the 64th Independence celebrations.

Demonstrators voiced their grievances over inflation, high fuel prices, and the overall economic hardship gripping the nation, echoing the sentiments of the #EndBadGovernance protests held in August.

The protests were reported to be peaceful in Lagos and Ondo states, with demonstrators chanting anti-government slogans and calling for urgent economic reforms.

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However, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the situation was different as police were said to have used tear gas to disperse protesters who had gathered in the Utako and Jabi areas of the city.

The protesters, holding placards with messages like: “We are hungry” and “End bad governance,” began gathering as early as 7am at the Utako Market.

Also, it was gathered that security forces sealed off Eagle Square and intervened to halt the protest shortly after it began. Many demonstrators and residents fled the scene for safety.

The FCT Police Command denied claims of attacking peaceful protesters.

In a statement by its spokesperson, DSP Josephine Adeh, the command insisted that the intervention was aimed at preventing looting by miscreants who sought to exploit the protest.

“The operatives only took measures to forestall miscreants who were taking advantage of the protest to loot shops in the market,” the statement said.

Ondo protesters defy police order

Protesters in Ondo State defied police warnings and staged a peaceful demonstration in Akure, the state capital.

Chanting various slogans, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the economic policies of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

The protesters, closely monitored by security personnel, decried the high cost of food and petrol, calling for immediate government action.

Kunle Wiseman Ajayi, a leader of the Ondo protesters, criticised the government for what he called its “lack of sensitivity” to the plight of Nigerians, particularly after the removal of fuel subsidy.

Ajayi outlined the protesters’ demands, which included lowering the cost of food and petrol, creating jobs for the youth, and introducing free education.

Also in Osun State, protesters took to the streets to express their grievances over the hardship in the country. The demonstrators called on President Tinubu to reverse the removal of fuel subsidies in an effort to curb the rising cost of living.

The protesters gathered at the popular Nelson Mandela Freedom Park at Old Garage before marching through major streets in the capital.

Sowore joins Lagos protest, demands release of protesters

Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has called for the immediate release of detained protesters.

Sowore made this demand during the #FearlessInOctober protests held yesterday at Ikeja under-bridge in Lagos.

In an interview at the protest ground, Sowore said part of the ongoing demonstrations is focused on securing the release of individuals held for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest.

He argued that many of the protesters have been unjustly detained on false charges, including treason—a crime punishable by death.

“We are protesting to ensure that everyone illegally detained on false charges, especially treason, is released immediately. This also applies to Nnamdi Kanu, who is being persecuted by the Nigerian state simply for expressing the desire of his people to secede from Nigeria,” Sowore said.

Sowore also criticised Nigeria’s state of affairs, describing the country’s independence as a barrier to true progress. He called for a revolution to liberate Nigeria from what he termed “internal colonialism.”

Other states shun protests

However, the #FearlessInOctober demonstrations saw no activity in several states, including Kano, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Bayelsa, Adamawa and Taraba.

Many youths in these states expressed concerns over potential violence, recalling the protests in August, which resulted in damage to both public and private properties.

In Kano, residents largely opted to stay indoors for the public holiday. While some conducted their daily businesses, major roads were quieter than usual, with minimal traffic congestion, as observedbyour correspondents.

Shops and markets, including Kwari, Sabon Gari, Singer, and Kurmi, remained open, indicating a sense of normalcy.

As at press time, there was no report of protest in the state. Also, there was a notable absence of demonstrators in Plateau State.

Our correspondent observed that the usual protest gathering spots, such as the Secretariat and Old Airport junctions, were devoid of activity. Security operatives were present to monitor the situation.

Major roads were relatively quiet, and markets like Terminus, Satellite Market and Bukuru Market operated normally.

Former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, acknowledged the need for a different approach to protests in the current climate.

Dalung, who was at the forefront of the EndBadGovernance protest in Plateau, said: “So, we will continue to protest the bad situation we have in Nigeria until the people get relief, but the method of this protest should not be expected to be the same here in Plateau.”

In Adamawa, the youths took a different approach by turning the October 1 protest into a celebration of President Tinubu’s achievements.

Gathered at the Unity Flyover in Yola, they expressed solidarity with the president’s leadership by rolling out drums and celebrating his policies. Convener of the Concerned Youths of Adamawa, Yakubu Girei, articulated their support for what he described as “laudable policies and programmes” introduced by Tinubu, stating that they aimed to contribute positively to the administration’s continuity.

Akwa Ibom also saw no protest, with business owners in Uyo’s Ibom Plaza and Cenotaph Centre operating normally.

The streets were bustling with routine commercial activities, and there was no sign of organised protests.

The Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, expressed confidence that the state would be protest-free, but said the command had made adequate deployment for the protest.

It would be recalled that Governor Pastor Umo Eno rewarded the youths with a donation of N310 million, appreciating their restraint during the August protests.

Hundreds of youths in Bayelsa marched through Yenagoa, the state capital, on October 1 in a show of support for the state government.

Organised under the Prosperity Youths Coalition, led by Comrade Doubara Kumokou, the gathering coincided with the 28th anniversary of the creation of Bayelsa State.

During the procession, Barr. Ayebakuro Igbeta, the coalition’s secretary, expressed the youths’ commitment to supporting the administration in consolidating its agenda for prosperity.

He acknowledged the challenges facing the nation but praised Governor Douye Diri for what he described as his sensitive and judicious management of state resources, which he said foster peace, security and significant infrastructural development in the state.

And in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, it was gathered that thugs took over the protest ground, which is close to the secretariat to stop the protest.

The thugs, it was gathered, said they did not want protest and threatened to beat up any journalist covering their actions.

Taraba State witnessed no protests on Independence Day, with Jalingo and all 16 local government areas remaining peaceful, our correspondent reported.

Our correspondent reported that the main market, vegetable market, and motor parks were operational, with residents engaged in their daily routines.

Minimal police presence was noted at strategic locations, such as the road leading to the Government House and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat.

Residents expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of protests, citing a lack of responsiveness from the government to citizens’ grievances.

Dauda Adamu, a Jalingo resident, said past protests led to violence and significant losses for business owners, which has discouraged further demonstrations.

He said instead of addressing public concerns, the government has increased fuel prices and taxes, leading many to conclude that protesting would yield no positive results.

HURIWA condemns police for attacking protesters in Abuja

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the FCT and Rivers state police commands for allegedly attacking with teargas canisters, demonstrators, who assembled to protest the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.

HURIWA, in a media statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the attack by police with teargas canisters on peaceful protesters was a provocation aimed at drawing these protesters to react so the armed police could have an immediate reason to then open fire with lethal weapons.

“We are worried that the Nigeria Police Force has over the years, become the enemies of democracy and freedoms and have increasingly become the willing tools and the armed wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which are often deployed to kill off Nigerians who dare challenge the oppressors that have unleashed devastating destruction on the economy of Nigeria, thereby dismantling the economic activities of millions of Nigerians who are now unemployed, dejected, deprived, starving and massively hungry,” the statement said.

By Dalhatu Liman (Abuja), Tosin Tope (Akure), Dotun Omisakin (Lagos), Salim Umar Ibrahim (Kano), Magaji I. Hunkuyi (Jalingo), Bassey Willie, (Yenagoa) & Iniabasi Umo (Uyo)