- Nigeria Police Force launched tear gas canisters at protesters in Abuja
- The protesters had assembled to express their concern over the severe economic hardship
- Thugs issued threats of beheading both protesters and journalists in Lagos
As the nationwide hunger protest with the hashtag #Endbadgovernance continued into its second day on Friday, August 2, demonstrators at Abuja's Eagle Square were confronted with violence when rogue members of the Nigeria Police Force launched tear gas canisters into the crowd.
Police launched tear gas at protesters in Abuja
Also, a unit of heavily armed Nigerian Police officers aggressively dispersed protesters near Berger Bridge in Abuja.
Likewise, the deployment of tear gas against those assembling near the Federal Secretariat in Abuja escalated the situation from a calm protest to a tense clash.
Thugs threaten protesters, journalists in Lagos
In Lagos, thugs issued threats of beheading against both protesters and journalists, with police merely observing the situation.
According to the Vanguard, an activist, Zokira Ibeh, reported, “We gathered here as early as 7 a.m. It was peaceful until about 20 thugs came in, raising tension,”
“They told me and a media person that they would behead us,”
“It should be on record that the Police who are obligated to protect us as we go about the peaceful protest were present, while thugs were disrupting the protest,” Ibeh added.
Recall that the Federal Government, President Bola Tinubu, traditional leaders, and numerous prominent statesmen have urged Nigerians to cancel the planned protest.
IGP issued directive to police officers to protect protesters
Also, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, issued directives to the deputy Inspectors General of Police (Operations and Intelligence), Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) at Zonal Headquarters, and Commissioners of Police (CPs) at State Commands to ensure the security of protesters as requested by a pro-democracy Take-It-Back Movement lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN.
The hunger protesters had assembled across the country to voice their concern over the severe economic hardship, widespread hunger, and ineffective government policies.
Protest: Confusion in Maiduguri as police relax curfew for Juma’at prayers
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Borno government declared a 24-hour curfew on August 1 following a deadly explosion amid protest.
However, the state government temporarily relaxed the curfew to enable the Muslim faithful to observe Juma’at prayers.