The United States, United Kingdom and Canada have raised the alarm over the likelihood of violence during the planned August 1 #EndBadGovernance protest in the country.
The advisories come as apprehensive market leaders in Abuja, Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Ogun, Osun, Zamfara, Gombe and other parts of the country requested strong security around markets during the rallies.
Also in preparation for the demonstration, the police authorities have recalled all personnel on non-essential duties.
A memo dated July 25, 2024 and signed by CSP Okon Moses directed the withdrawal of riot policemen ahead of the protest.
The message titled, ‘Notification of temporary withdrawal of personnel for national assignment,’ read, ‘’In view of the planned nationwide protest, it becomes imperative to temporarily withdraw some of the personnel attached to you in order to muster sufficient officers to dominate the public space.
“This is part of the proactive necessary measures to enhance the operational capacity/capability of the squadron and your understanding in the above regard is highly solicited.’’
Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said that the personnel withdrawal was in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s directive.
He added that this was done to bolster the strength of the police, adding that the men would be deployed to fortify banks and other critical national assets.
He said, “The IG ordered the withdrawal of policemen from some beats to augment our strength. Those withdrawn are those on non-essential duties. We’re going to have men to fortify banks and critical assets. That is where we will have our men, we want our men to be back to base.”
The military had cancelled leaves and passes for its personnel.
In the past weeks, the organisers of the protest, under the #EndBadGovernance tag, have intensified the mobilisation of youths and civil society groups to participate in the rallies against the economic hardship in the country and the alleged failure of the Tinubu administration to address the people’s plight.
On assuming office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced an end to fuel subsidy, promising to utilise the savings on infrastructural development, but the policy, compounded by insecurity in farming communities, sparked high transport costs leading to food inflation.
Tinubu also unified the foreign exchange rates to curb currency arbitrage and floated the naira resulting in a slump in the value of the national currency.
However, in the security advisory published on its website on Friday, the US Mission in Abuja advised Americans to avoid getting caught in the rallies.
The advisory counselled them to avoid crowds and demonstrations and monitor local media for updates.
The alert read, “According to media reports, nationwide protests may occur in Nigeria between July 29th and August 5th, 2024. Based on past occurrences, protests may involve roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion and physical confrontations. No specific times or locations have been identified for potential protests at this time.
“Actions to take: Monitor local media for updates; avoid crowds, avoid demonstrations, be aware of your surroundings, review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency; carry proper identification.
“The consular sections of Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos will remain open during regular business hours and consular services will be provided as scheduled.”
Similarly, the UK High Commission said the protests could occur between July 29 and August 10 in Abuja, Lagos and other large cities.
It warned of the likelihood of violence during the rallies, noting that past protests turned violent with little warning.
UK warns citizens
It asked British citizens in Nigeria to exercise caution when travelling, avoid large crowds and gatherings and monitor media reports.
The advisory read, “Political rallies, protests and violent demonstrations can take place with little notice. Get advice on areas to avoid.
“Take care if you’re visiting crowded public places or attending events which attract large crowds. If you see a threatening or intimidating situation, do not try to make your way through it. Turn around and move to safety.
“Incidents of inter-communal violence occur frequently and often without warning throughout Nigeria. Although foreign nationals are not normally targeted, there is a risk you could be caught in an attack. Monitor local government announcements and media reporting.
“Widespread public demonstrations are a possibility across Nigeria between 29 July and 10 August, with a focus on large cities, including Abuja and Lagos. This period could see increased risks of disruption, with possible effects on transport and infrastructure.
“Past protests have turned violent with little warning. Exercise caution when travelling, avoid large crowds and gatherings and monitor local media reporting.”
The Canadian government equally alerted its citizens in Nigeria about the demonstrations, which it said could disrupt traffic and public transportation and “turn violent at any time.”
“Nationwide demonstrations are planned between July 29 to August 5, 2024. They could disrupt traffic and public transportation and could turn violent at any time.
“If you’re in Nigeria, expect a heightened security presence, remain vigilant at all times, avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place, follow the instructions of local authorities, monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstration.
“Demonstrations occur frequently, especially in central Abuja and other major cities. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation,’’ the Canadian embassy stated in an updated travel advice published on its website on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has challenged Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to lead the protest after he endorsed it on Sunday.
President Bola Tinubu’s spokesman Bayo Onanuga threw the challenge at Obi, who stated during a visit to Abia Governor Alex Otti that there was nothing wrong if Nigerians wished to embark on a protest to drive home their grievances.
He said, “Protest is allowed within the Nigerian Constitution. All I plead for is for those who are protesting to do so within the law and in a civil manner that allows us as a nation to show that we live within the law.
“Everybody knows that things are difficult and I always say that when they talk about the sponsors of protests, the sponsors are very simple, it is hunger, it is hopelessness among the youths. So, we all have to listen to what Nigerians are going through and I thank our Governor (Otti) for doing so. It is critical and important,” Obi stated.
He added, “What I have to say to the security agencies is to ensure that they manage the situation within the law. We should not try to be overbearing. It should be something that we do within the law.”
“Protest is allowed globally. And, I also say that people protest in my house and it is for us to listen to those who are protesting and why they are protesting and engage them. That is what governance is all about, you talk with them, and there is nothing wrong in that.
“I was governor for years and people protested and we kept dialoguing and deliberating about it.”
Reacting to the assertion by Obi, Onanuga, who had earlier accused the LP candidate and his supporters of being behind the impending nationwide protest challenged him to copy the example of former President Muhammadu Buhari and his successor, Bola Tinubu, who led protests as opposition leaders, instead of playing ‘the master puppeteer’ behind the scene.
Onanuga said in a short post on his X handle stated, “Now that Peter Obi has come out to endorse the planned protest by his supporters, he should do what President Tinubu and former President Buhari did in the past, by coming out openly to lead the protesters. That is what leadership is about. Not playing the master puppeteer behind the scene. He should be in the forefront.”
Speaking on the looming protest during a meeting with traders and stakeholders on Saturday, the acting Managing Director, Abuja Market Management Limited, Abbas Yakubu, called on the traders in the FCT to support the security agencies in ensuring the markets are not infiltrated by miscreants during the demonstration.
According to a statement on Sunday, the MD warned that hoodlums would stop at nothing to exploit any gathering to attack the market, whether peaceful or not.
Yakubu cited the attack on some shops and offices in Wuse International Market by suspected thugs in March, stressing that the market could not afford a repeat of such an incident.(EverydayNessNgr)
