The Nigerian government has taken the decision to deploy military personnel to Eagle Square in Abuja to quell the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests rocking most cities in the country. This action comes in response to recent clashes between protesters and the police. The #EndBadGovernance demonstrators, who had initially gathered at the MKO Abiola Stadium, later relocated to Eagle Square on Thursday, despite a court order that had prohibited protests at the site. The decision to deploy the military occurred during a tense clash between protesters and law enforcement, representing a notable escalation in the ongoing demonstrations against government policies and economic hardship.
The atmosphere grew tense as the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) instructed the protesters to relocate from outside the stadium to inside the facility. The directive was met with opposition from protesters who claimed that they had already followed the court’s instructions by gathering at the stadium. The confusion and frustration were intensified by reports of attacks on protesters who were unaware of the venue change from Eagle Square to the National Stadium. The demonstrators at the stadium marched to Eagle Square in solidarity with their fellow protesters, who had faced aggression from government forces.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu’s administration had been cautioned against deploying soldiers to manage the protests, particularly in the capital territory.
Looting and Vandalism in Kano
In a separate incident in Kano State, unidentified individuals posing as protesters infiltrated the demonstrations and vandalized the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) office. The recently completed facility, which has not yet been officially opened, was unfortunately subjected to looting and arson. Photographs obtained by MMI show looters taking away stolen items, such as furniture, electronics, and equipment. A group of protesters, easily identifiable by their green caps with the word “peace,” stepped in and effectively dispersed the vandals. Nevertheless, there are lingering concerns regarding the actions taken by security agencies to curb future instances of looting.
Press Under Attack
Meanwhile, some members of the press have come under attack. Notably, Jide Oyekunle, a photojournalist with Daily Independent and the Correspondence chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, FCT Chapel, was arrested during the protests. Oyekunle was detained while covering the protest at Eagle Square, allegedly on the orders of FCT Commissioner of Police Ben Igweh. There were concerns raised about press freedom and the treatment of journalists following the arrest. According to Josephine Adeh, the command’s spokesperson, Oyekunle was not arrested but was in her company. However, Oyekunle stated, “The FCT commissioner ordered my arrest but later released me. My phone is still with them.”
The ongoing protests have been met with an escalation in the deployment of the military and the adoption of aggressive tactics by law enforcement, which has further fuelled public discontent. The government’s response to the #EndBadGovernance protests is under intense scrutiny, as people demand a peaceful resolution and the protection of citizens’ rights to assemble and express their grievances.
