The United States, United Kingdom, and Canada have issued security alerts to their citizens in Nigeria, warning of potential violence during the planned nationwide protests set to commence on August 1, 2024. This development comes in response to a scheduled protest against hunger and hardship.
In separate travel advisories, the three countries advised their citizens to avoid areas where confrontations between security agencies and protesters might occur. The US Mission in Abuja urged Americans to steer clear of rallies, avoid crowds, and stay updated via local media, noting potential roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion, and physical confrontations. Their advisory states, “According to media reports, nationwide protests may occur in Nigeria between July 29th and August 5th, 2024. Based on past occurrences, protests may involve roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion, and physical confrontations.”
Similarly, the UK High Commission warned that protests could occur in major cities like Abuja and Lagos between July 29 and August 10. British nationals were advised to exercise caution, avoid large crowds, and stay informed through media reports, highlighting that previous protests have turned violent with little warning. The advisory emphasized, “Political rallies, protests, and violent demonstrations can take place with little notice. Get advice on areas to avoid. Take care if you’re visiting crowded public places or attending events which attract large crowds. If you see a threatening or intimidating situation, do not try to make your way through it. Turn around and move to safety.”
The Canadian government also alerted its citizens about the demonstrations, cautioning them to expect disruptions in traffic and public transportation and warning that protests could become violent unexpectedly. They advised vigilance, adherence to local authorities’ instructions, and continuous monitoring of local media for updates. Their advisory noted, “Nationwide demonstrations are planned between July 29 to August 5, 2024. They could disrupt traffic and public transportation and could turn violent at any time.”
These advisories reflect heightened concerns over the planned nationwide protests and their potential impact on safety and security in Nigeria.
One of the leaders of the planned #EndBadGovernance protest, Damilare Adenola, stated that the Eagle Square in Abuja is public property, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike must allow “hungry Nigerian youths” to demonstrate there. Adenola, the Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, expressed this view on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program.
The protest against economic hardship is gaining traction on social media and is scheduled to take place across all states of the Federation as well as the FCT in August. Nigerians have been grappling with soaring food prices and economic crises exacerbated by the government's removal of petrol subsidies and unification of forex windows.
Adenola explained that a letter addressed to the FCT minister seeking the use of Eagle Square was dated July 26, 2024, and shared on social media platforms. However, the FCT minister claimed on Saturday that he had not received the letter. Adenola blamed bureaucratic delays for the letter's delivery but assured that it would reach the minister by Monday, ahead of the protest starting Thursday.
Adenola emphasized that Eagle Square is a public property and questioned the minister's expectations for impoverished Nigerian youths to afford fees for using the venue. He reiterated the protest's motivation, highlighting the widespread hunger and unemployment among Nigerian youths.
The protest campaigner also revealed that the bank account of the Take It Back Movement was blocked on the orders of the Department of State Services (DSS), a move he described as arbitrary. Adenola called on security agencies to make themselves available at all protest venues in the country.