Nationwide protests in Nigeria, dubbed the “EndBadGovernance,” commenced on August 1, 2024, driven by widespread frustration over soaring food prices and deteriorating economic conditions.
Organised by the Take It Back movement, the protests are a response to a staggering 40% food inflation rate and increasing unemployment, with basic necessities becoming unaffordable for many Nigerians.
So far, several states have declared curfews in response to the nationwide hunger protests that have turned violent, leading to looting and destruction of property.
The protests have seen significant activity in states like Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Borno, where demonstrators have gathered to voice their grievances. However, the states where curfew has been declared include Kano, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Jigawa and Nasarawa.
No fewer than 14 protesters, including a policeman, on Thursday lost their lives on the first day of the protest.
A report revealed that those killed included six at Suleja in Niger State; four in Maiduguri, Borno State; three in Kaduna State; and one in Kebbi State.
Clashes between the police and protesters were equally recorded in Abuja, Delta and Bayelsa states but the protest was largely peaceful in Lagos, Oyo and Osun states.
At Suleja, where dozens of protesters also sustained injuries, victims were said to have been killed while security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted barricades on a section of Abuja-Kaduna highway, entrapping hundreds of passengers and motorists for hours
Kano State
In Kano, the state government imposed a 24-hour curfew after hoodlums attacked the Digital Industrial Park of the Nigerian Communication Commission, looting items such as computers, furniture, solar panels, and air conditioner split units.
The ICT Park, which was meant to be commissioned on August 7, consists of laboratories for ICT innovations and commercial hubs that build capacity for ICT startups and entrepreneurial activities in the northwest region.
“After careful consideration, we have come to terms that a 24-hour curfew should be put in place to further prevent looting and vandalisation of businesses and the killing of innocent citizens,” gov Yusuf stated.
Borno State
Borno State also declared an immediate 24-hour curfew across the state following the infiltration of Boko Haram fighters into the protest, leading to the killing of four people and leaving 34 others injured.
The Borno Police Command alleged that Boko Haram elements infiltrated protesters along Baga Road in Maiduguri, prompting the deployment of the Explosive Ordnance Device Squad and Base 13 to comb the scene and render the area around a filling station safe.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, announced a 24-hour curfew, highlighting the government’s concerns about violent infiltration by non-state actors.
“To avert future occurrences, the Borno State government has taken firm decisions to impose a curfew,” Tar stated.
Yobe State
In Yobe, a curfew was also imposed due to the escalating unrest.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Brig Gen Dahiru Abdussallam (Rtd), urged residents to comply with the curfew to maintain peace.
“Yobe State Government has considered the security situation in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru towns where some hoodlums are taking advantage of the protest to vandalize and loot government and private properties.
“In view of the above, therefore, the state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru. The public is hereby advised to abide by the curfew and stay at home for peace to reign in these areas and the state at large.
“Security agencies have been directed to ensure enforcement and full compliance of the curfew,” he said.
Katsina State
The Katsina state government imposed a 24-hour curfew in Dutsinma LGA.
In a statement on Friday, Abdullahi Garba-Faskar, secretary to the state government, said the acting governor, Faruq Jobe, has also banned unusual gatherings and all types of protests across the state.
He said the decision followed an emergency security council meeting convened over the nationwide protest.
The statement read, “The acting governor had earlier received a group of civil society organizations who were on a peaceful demonstration at the government house and pledged to deliver their messages to the appropriate authority.
“However, later government received reports that some miscreants had hijacked the protest and unleashed their ulterior motives of shop breaking, looting and vandalisation of public and private properties.
“Therefore, the government found it necessary to impose these measures to safeguard people’s lives and properties in the state.”
Nasarawa State
A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed on the Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State after the #EndBadGovernance protests turned violent.
The media aide to the Karu LGA Chairman, Danbaba Magaji, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
“The Executive Chairman of Karu Local Government Council, James Thomas, after due consideration, has imposed a curfew across Karu LGA from 6 pm to 6 am from today until further notice,” the statement read.
Jigawa State
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State imposed a curfew following the #EndBadGovernance protest, which escalated into widespread looting across the state.
In an official broadcast, Governor Namadi announced that the curfew would take effect immediately but would be relaxed between 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Friday to allow Muslims to attend Jumm’at congregational prayers.
“As a result of that, we are introducing a 24-hour curfew in Jigawa State and this curfew will continue up till the time we have reviewed the situation again with the security agencies and we feel it’s time for us to relax,” Namadi stated.
The imposition of curfews in these states reflects the government’s efforts to maintain law and order and prevent further violence and destruction of property.
However, the protests continue to highlight the deep-seated discontent among Nigerians over the deteriorating economic conditions and the government’s perceived inability to address the pressing issues of high food prices and unemployment.
On August 2, the second day of protests, security forces remained on high alert, deploying hundreds of officers in major cities to maintain order.
Despite government efforts to quell the demonstrations, including the deployment of police and the establishment of food purchase centers, the protests have continued, reflecting deep-seated discontent with the government’s handling of the economic crisis.
