A significant nationwide deployment of soldiers and police personnel has been initiated by the military and the Police in preparation for the August 1 #EndBadGovernance protest, organized by youths and civil society groups.
Research by NewsNow on Monday showed that security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have placed their personnel on red alert in expectation of the impending nationwide rally which aims to highlight the economic hardships faced by citizens.
The organizers, despite appeals from the Presidency and police authorities urging them to call off the protests, are pushing for improvements in the rising cost of living and a reversal of harsh government policies, particularly the elimination of petrol subsidies. This subsidy removal, coupled with ongoing security challenges in farming regions, has led to increased transportation costs and subsequent food price inflation.
While many states have distanced themselves from the upcoming protest, fearing potential hijacking by certain groups or individuals, they are taking precautions as our reporters have noted an unusual surge of security personnel in various states and Abuja.
Confirming the deployment of troops, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, stated that this was a routine measure as soldiers are always deployed nationwide for counter-terrorism operations.
According to Buba, “Troop deployment across the country for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations is not something new. There is nothing extraordinary about this deployment.”
Nevertheless, reports from our correspondents indicate heightened surveillance patrols by the Guards Brigade, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Monday.
Meanwhile, in Niger State, some youths took to the streets in protest on Monday, shortly after Governor Mohammed Bago declared that the state’s youth would not participate in the nationwide protest known as #EndBadGovernance.
The protestors, expressing impatience by chanting anti-government slogans and displaying placards with messages like ‘Enough is Enough’, ‘Stop Anti-Masses Policies’, ‘We Are Not Slaves In Our Country’, ‘Hardship Is Unbearable’, and ‘Fuel Subsidy Must Be Reinstated’, reportedly obstructed the Abuja-Kaduna Road but dispersed after the intervention of stationed soldiers.
According to Niger State Police Command spokesman Abiodun Wasiu, “There were some individuals around the Kaduna road area. The Area Commander, Suleja, immediately responded with his team to restore order. They were swiftly dispersed.”
Furthermore, there were traffic delays on the Abuja-Keffi and Abuja-Lokoja roads due to roadblocks established by military and police personnel.
Increasing security patrols were also reported by residents of Kubwa, Dutse Alhaji, Maraba, and Bwari, who noticed a higher presence of security vehicles in their vicinities.
Deployment of 30,000 NSCDC Personnel
To enhance security around public infrastructure and assets, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps announced the deployment of 30,000 personnel nationwide in response to the planned hunger rallies.
During a meeting with Commandants and Zonal Commandants at the Corps’ national headquarters in Abuja on Monday, NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, stated, “I have directed the deployment of at least 30,000 personnel nationwide, including Intelligence and other Tactical Units across all formations; Zonal Commanders and State Commandants in the 36 states and FCT are tasked with supervising their personnel to secure lives, property, and critical national assets and infrastructure during the protest.”
Audi cited intelligence reports suggesting criminal elements could exploit the protest to incite chaos and harm civilians and national infrastructure. He affirmed the right to peaceful protest but cautioned against property destruction.
Addressing his team, Audi emphasized, “Your role is to ensure the protest remains peaceful. We reject violence, property damage, fatalities, or destruction. Adhere to our Standard Operating Procedures and Ethical Code as you maintain calm and protect government facilities from potential troublemakers.”
In Lagos, the state Police Command deployed officers strategically throughout the state, with a senior officer describing it as routine policing exercise.
Areas like Meiran, Ikorodu, Ikeja, and Agege saw police presence on main streets, while a team of about 20 officers conducted vehicle checks at Berger Bus Stop.
Though the Lagos command spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, did not respond to requests for comment, a senior officer anonymously stated that the increased security presence was part of routine policing efforts.
A statement on Monday by the Delta command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe, stated that police personnel had been deployed across the state to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order. Undercover police operatives have also been assigned from the State Intelligence Department to monitor activities during the protest and identify any individuals seeking to cause chaos.
The Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, has instructed the protest organizers in the state to provide detailed information about their activities as directed by the Inspector General. This information includes proposed protest locations and routes, expected duration of the protest, names and contact information of protest leaders, and preventive measures against criminal elements trying to hijack the protest.
Likewise, the Kano State Police Command has requested all participating groups in the demonstration to submit their protest routes and assembly points. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna, emphasized the need for details such as expected protest duration, as well as names and contacts of protest leaders and organizers. This measure aims to prevent any form of hijacking by criminal elements, with provisions for identifying potential troublemakers to ensure public safety.
According to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, security has been heightened at custodial centres nationwide to prevent any attacks on their facilities. The NCoS has deployed sniffer dogs, intelligence units, and armed squads on high alert to avoid a recurrence of incidents like the #EndSARS protests in which inmates were unlawfully released due to attacks on correctional facilities.
Back in October 2020, major protests took place across Nigeria under the #EndSARS movement, calling for an end to police brutality. The resulting disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) marked a significant outcome of these demonstrations.Hoodlums eventually took control, leading to attacks on correctional facilities and various government buildings.
During this period, more than 2,000 inmates reportedly escaped following the assaults on prisons in Edo and Ondo states.
In Edo State, individuals disguised as #EndSARS protesters targeted the Oko and Benin custodial centres, resulting in the escape of a total of 1,993 inmates.
Additionally, 58 inmates fled from the Okitipupa custodial centre in Ondo State.
Umar revealed that the NCoS management had requested collaboration with other security agencies to secure custodial centres nationwide.
He emphasized the implementation of new security strategies and the deployment of intelligence officers and security squads to protect the facilities.
Furthermore, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, instructed senior police officers to safeguard the protesters amid ongoing concerns.
This directive followed a request from human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) for police protection during the protests.
In response, the IG scheduled a meeting with Adegboruwa at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to discuss the matter further.
As the protests approached, Egbetokun and the Nigerian Bar Association urged organizers to reconsider their plans to avoid potential risks and disruptions.
They highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and order, citing the negative effects of violent demonstrations based on past experiences.
The IG stressed the government’s efforts to address economic challenges globally and urged for peaceful protests as a fundamental right for citizens.
Maikyau echoed these sentiments, appealing for dialogue and collaboration among the government, organizers, and supporters for the benefit of all.
The United Action Front of Civil Society called on the government to address citizen’s demands proactively to prevent unintended consequences during the planned protests.
They emphasized the citizens’ rights to demonstrate and urged the government to prioritize addressing critical concerns raised by protesters.
In their statement, the group reiterated the demands for fuel price reduction, government cost-cutting measures, and constitutional reforms to promote stability and development in the country.
They highlighted the importance of the government’s responsiveness to citizen’s concerns to avert potential repercussions from the planned nationwide protests.
•Additional reports by various contributors