Nigerian police have heightened their state of readiness in response to escalating protests against the rising cost of living and governance issues, with the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, indicating that military assistance may be called upon if necessary.
This follows reports of violence during protests that resulted in the tragic deaths of at least three individuals in Kaduna State on Thursday.
As demonstrations intensified across northern Nigeria, Amnesty International reported that a minimum of 13 protesters have lost their lives in clashes involving security forces in three northern states, including Niger and Borno. However, Nigerian authorities have yet to officially comment on the fatalities.
Eyewitness accounts and reports indicate that security personnel employed aggressive tactics during the protests, with Amnesty International stating that these actions appeared aimed at causing harm to demonstrators protesting against hunger and poverty.
In a statement on Thursday, Inspector General Egbetokun confirmed the mobilization of all police units across the country, placing them on red alert.
“The police are equipped to respond appropriately to the unfolding situation and will get assistance from other security agencies, including the military if the need arises,” he stated.
Amidst the unrest, some of Nigeria’s largest cities, including Abuja and Kano, maintained a tense calm after direct confrontations between police and protesters.
However, further protests are anticipated as anger grows over President Bola Tinubu’s recent economic reforms, which have significantly fueled inflation and increased public distress.
The President acknowledged the hardships resulting from his policies but emphasized that such steps are essential for stabilizing Nigeria’s economy in the long term. He urged citizens to understand the necessity of the reforms despite their immediate impacts.
Inspired by GEN-Z movements in Kenya, Nigerian activists launched the “#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria” campaign, pledging to sustain their protests for ten days.
Police forces in Kano have begun to relax a 24-hour curfew that was enforced after protests turned destructive, resulting in looting of shops and government buildings.
