As the #EndBadGovernance protests continue to sweep across Nigeria, the police have pledged to maintain law and order and prevent anarchy in all parts of the country.
Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, speaking on Channels Television’s “The August Protests” show, emphasized that no live ammunition had been used against peaceful protesters, but tear gas was deployed to manage “unruly hoodlums” disrupting the protests.
Police Response
Adejobi stated, “To the best of my knowledge, I don’t think any policeman has fired any live ammunition. Everything you are seeing now is tear gas. We have seen the unruly attitude of certain hoodlums who have taken over the streets. We are still engaging them with tear gas. No live ammunition yet.”
Nationwide Demonstrations
The protests, which began on August 1, 2024, have seen widespread participation from Nigerians frustrated by economic hardship and bad governance. Photos and videos showing police dispersing protesters with tear gas in Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, and other cities have gone viral. Civil society groups have condemned the police’s actions as an “assault” on peaceful protesters.
Curfews Imposed
In response to escalating violence, curfews have been imposed in states such as Borno, Kano, and Yobe, where hoodlums have reportedly burned public properties and looted private assets.
Adejobi expressed the police’s determination to prevent the situation from spiraling into anarchy.
“The police and other security agencies will not allow anarchy in this country. The lesson we learnt during EndSARS is still fresh in our memories,” he said, referring to the 2020 protests against police brutality.
Police Commitment to Safety
Adejobi reassured that the police value the life of every Nigerian and have engaged the protests professionally.
“No occasion so far in Abuja has warranted the use of live ammunition. All so far is the use of tear gas. We value the souls of Nigerians; a soul is important to us, and we don’t want to lose any soul. We are mindful of that and we are going to engage every situation professionally,” he stated.
Legal and Constitutional Rights
Highlighting the balance between upholding the law and respecting citizens’ rights, Adejobi said, “Section 40 of the Constitution has given us rights to assembly, association and the like but Section 45 has stated clearly that on no account should allow (violence). No fundamental human right is absolute and this is what we are saying.”
Context of Protests
The ongoing protests, sparked by severe economic challenges, are scheduled to continue until August 10. Nigerians have been grappling with high inflation and economic crises exacerbated by the government’s policies on petrol subsidy removal and forex unification.
Despite warnings from the police, military, and Department of State Services against Kenya-styled protests, and appeals from politicians to avoid a repeat of the EndSARS demonstrations, the young protesters remain resolute.
As the protests unfold, the police and other security agencies face the critical task of balancing law enforcement with the protection of citizens’ rights, ensuring peaceful demonstrations while preventing violence and maintaining order.