August Protest Sparks Heavy Security in Abuja, Rivers, Lagos

Security forces on high alert as protesters march through Abuja, Rivers, and Lagos this August, demanding change.

On August 1, protesters assembled in Abuja as well as Kaduna, Lagos and Rivers states; consequently, major cities across Nigeria currently have an elevated security presence.

Videos of protesters from different states were featured in Channels Television’s ‘The August Protests’ programme. They all shared a common testimony: hunger and hardship experienced in Nigeria provoked their participation in the mass demonstration.

Protesters congregated in Abuja, holding up signs that read “Put an End to Bad Governance”, “We’ve Had Enough”, “End Hunger” and “The People of Nigeria are Prepared for a New Naija.”

In June 2024, the protesters put forth ten demands, including a decrease in food inflation that had spiked to 40.87 percent and an annulment of electricity tariff increases.

Deji Adeyanju, an activist lawyer present at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, stated that up until now protests have been devoid of violence.

During the protest, Samson Itodo, Yiaga’s Executive Director echoed that the grievances of protesters resonate with all individuals’ struggles.

He observed that most Nigerians are experiencing hunger.

He believes that the protest represents the urgency to tackle Nigeria’s challenges as a nation.

According to him, upon examining the matter of hunger, it becomes clear that Nigerians are starving and experiencing economic difficulties. He added that his own family is also affected by this issue. The protest represents a multitude of concerns including actions taken by state officials which fail to demonstrate an understanding for the urgent struggles faced by citizens.

Mr Adewale Oyerinde of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) emphasized that it is crucial for the protest to occur in a peaceful manner.

According to a report from Channels TV, there are currently no demonstrators present at the assigned gathering locations in major southeastern states such as Imo, Ebonyi, and Abia.

It can be inferred that there is a relatively low amount of vehicles on the roads in major states throughout Nigeria.

In October 2020, the #EndSARS protest peacefully commenced but concluded on a negative note as properties were devastated across the nation.