Nigerians unhappy with what they see as their worsening state of living have been taking to the streets of maor cities depsite warning by the government of possible subversion targeting street processions.
Using social media, organisers have been planning the #Endbadgovernance protests for weeks.
Hundreds have been turnng up in Lagos where women could be seen carrying empty pots as a symbol of how hard it is to feed families amidst skyrocketing prices of basic commodities. There are local reports of protests taking place in Ibadan, Oyo State although those planned for Kogi did not appear big enough.
For the government of Bola Tinubu the stakes are high in terms of safety and security and the stability of the country especially after reports that an Improvised Explosive Device was discovered in Ikeja Lagos on Wednesday.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun said the IED has been detonated by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
The source of the IED has not been revealed by the police who are out in force in Nigeria’s biggest city and other parts of the country to contain the protests and stop them from spreading to other parts of the country.
The police have been instructed to do everything in their power to apprehend those who planted the IED in Lagos and keep an eye on Boko Haram activity.
The discovery came hours after the government warned that it would not tolerate the so-called ‘days of rage’ demonstrations nationwide to protest ”aggravating cost of living” as the prices of basic commodities fall beyond the pocket range of millions of Nigerians.
The government feels that allowing the protests to go ahead unchallenged would be tantamount to giving saboteurs a free hand to hijack the mass action and ”spread mischief and terror” to the country.
Protesters early on Thursday morning began converging on Eagles Square in Abuja and Alausa Park, Freedom Park, and Peace Park in Lagos to where the police were drafted to keep a wary eye on them.
According to witnesses, police fired tear gas at protesters in Abuja while in Kano State angry youth partially ransacked the Sadaraki Stores housed in a two-storey building before they were dispersed by an anti-riot unit.
The government is apprehensive that the militant group could take advantage of the fluidity of the situation to pose a danger to public security and stability, a fear shared by the US diplomatic mission in Nigeria which issued a statement urging its non-essential workers to stay home for two days as it warned of possible terrrorist attacks targeting processions by protesters.
“There is a risk of terror attacks in Nigeria and terrorist groups may take advantage of opportunities created during the potential nation-wide protests to conduct attacks” the statement issued on Wednesday evening said.
It advises its workers to “avoid the areas of the protest, avoid crowds;, exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests, monitor local media for updates, be aware of your surroundings”.
According to a statement by the US embassy, based on what transpired in past protest actions in Nigeria, the mass action may involve roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion, and physical confrontations.
WN/as/APA