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In anticipation of the October 1 protest, the Nigeria Police Force has dispatched officers to critical areas, as organizers remain committed to proceeding with the demonstration on Independence Day as scheduled.
This protest, if it happens, would be the second in two months, as Nigerians continue to voice their anger over the economic difficulties brought about by the hike in petrol prices, electricity tariffs, and the floating of the naira under President Tinubu’s administration.
According to the organizers, the #FearlessOctober1 protest serves as a continuation of the #Endbadgovernance movement, which took place from August 1 to August 10.
The group further noted that the recent protest was prompted by the Federal Government’s neglect of their demands, which include hunger, the increasing cost of living, security challenges, government waste, electoral reform, and improvements in human capital development.
The group announced that Eagle Square, the site of the Independence Day parade, would host the FCT protest, while the Lagos demonstration is scheduled for Ikeja Under Bridge.
On Sunday, Omoyele Sowore, who leads the protest and advocates for human rights, affirmed that they are “thoroughly prepared” for the demonstration, revealing that participants will gather at 7 a.m. on the day of the event.
“We are fully prepared. Our organisers are on the ground and would not be going into hiding. These are revolutionary times, Nigerians will hit the streets en mass starting from 7am on October 1,” he said.
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In Lagos, the protest organisers plan to commence their march at the Ikeja Under Bridge at 7:30am.
According to reports the Niger State Police Command has deployed personnel and security assets to avert any breakdown of law and order during the Independence Day celebration in the state.
In Suleja, a major town in Niger, six people were feared killed when protesters reportedly attempted to invade a police station during the #Endbadgovernance protest.
On Sunday in Minna, the state capital, gun-wielding security operatives were stationed in some of the major places, including popular markets and road junctions. Police patrol vehicles had also started moving around the city to ensure that peace was maintained in the state.
The Niger State Police Command spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said, “The Niger State Police Command shall deploy an adequate number of personnel and operational assets for public safety and orderliness. The state Commissioner of Police, Shawulu Danmamman, directed Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and DPOs to ensure that police visibility was enhanced in their various areas to avert any act of breach of public peace.
“The Command had also engaged labour leaders, trades unions, youth and students leaders in the state and other critical stakeholders towards ensuring and sustaining the relative peace that is being enjoyed for economic growth and development of the state.”
To effectively manage the upcoming protests, the Kano State Police Command has positioned its personnel at key sites across the region, reinforcing their presence to prevent any potential disruptions and safeguard community safety..
