THE ongoing nationwide protest in Abuja appears to have lost steam as no protesters were seen at the MKO Abiola stadium and some other parts of the nation’s capital as of 12pm on Sunday, August 4.
This situation might not be unconnected with the threat by the Nigeria police and other security operatives in the last four days, particularly yesterday, August 3, when the police and the State Security Services (SSS) shot tear-gas and ammunition at protesters.
The ICIR reported that the third day of the hunger protest in the nation’s capital turned violent as the security operatives intensified their crackdown on peaceful protesters.
Dressed in black uniforms and navy suits, the officers who drove in about six sienna vans fired rounds of bullets at close range at journalists who gathered opposite the entrance stadium with a few protesters who remained behind around 12pm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, since 9am today, The ICIR hasn’t sighted any protesters at the stadium even though there was a heavy police presence at the entrance of the stadium.
The ICIR observed that more security personnel also arrived at the stadium despite the absence of protesters on sight.
The same situation was witnessed at the Berger area as of the time of filing this report.
The ICIR reports that many Nigerians are protesting poor governance and economic hardships caused by President Bola Tinubu’s reforms.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M