A planned nationwide protest across the country has put the police on high alert and caused anxiety among government officials.
The protest scheduled for August 1-10, 2024 is organized by Nigerian youths. It aims to draw attention to the country’s worsening hardship and pressure the government to reverse policies blamed for the hardship.
The police have issued a memo urging officers to prevent the protest.
A leaked memo said, “Some groups are mobilizing for mass protest nationwide beginning from 1 to 10 2024”.
The memo, dated July 8 and copied to zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, urged the operatives to be proactive and “mobilize well-kitted and equipped personnel” ahead of the protest.
“INGENPOL directs you to be proactive, mobilize well-kitted and equipped personnel, synergize with other sister agencies and the military, takeover all strategic points in your AOR, deploy undercover for intelligent gathering, disperse unlawful gatherings, be in heart-to-heart conversation with community stakeholders, no form of protest must be allowed during the period,” it said.
The planned protest has instilled fear in Nigerian public officer holders, especially lawmakers who are fidgeting over possible attacks on them.
The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday engaged in a panic debate, expressing fear of attacks by angry Nigerians who are deep in prevailing hardship.
The protest is a response to the government’s policies, which have led to fuel price hikes, high cost of living, and food insecurity.
Organizers are demanding an end to the subsidy scam, reversal of fuel prices to below N300 per litre, reduction of tertiary education fees, restoration of electricity tariffs to affordable levels, reduction of import duties, disclosure and reduction of senators’ and house members’ salaries and allowances, and EFCC reform.