October 01, (THEWILL) – Hundreds of youths in Nigeria, on Tuesday, trooped out for the #FearlessInOctober protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Rivers States.
The demonstration, which coincided with Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary, aimed to pressure the government to address current hardship in the country. It follows the #EndBadGovernance protests held between August 1 and 10.
As early as 7 a.m., protesters gathered at the busy Utako Market in Utako as well as the Jabi areas of the FCT.
In Lagos, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, arrived at the protest ground at the Ikeja Underbridge around 8:50 a.m., where protesters had gathered to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
Displaying placards with inscriptions such as “Reduce Petrol Price to N197 Per Litre; End Scarcity,” “End All Attacks On Democratic Rights,” “Free Adaramola Michael Lenin and Others Now,” and “Reverse Electricity Tariff Hike,” the demonstrators chant songs like “Nobody can say no” and “Eh eh eh, yawa go dey”.
Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, voiced concerns over the increasing hardship in the country, attributing it to the policies of the Federal Government.
Meanwhile, while security agencies sealed off Eagle Square in Abuja, police also dispersed protesters in the Jabi and Utako areas of the FCT with teargas.
While youths shunned the protest in Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Abia States, in Rivers State, police alongside suspected political thugs, dispersed protesters who gathered in Port Harcourt.
Protesters were gathering at the popular Pleasure Park along the busy Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway when the police arrived. Accompanied by youths suspected to be political thugs, the police forcefully dispersed the protesters and took control of the area.
Despite the initial disruption, the determined protesters attempted to regroup in the Rumuola area, but police once again intervened and dispersed them.
The police have since maintained a heavy presence at both locations, along with other areas suspected to be potential gathering points for protesters.
Earlier, the Rivers State Police Command had pledged adequate security for the Independence Day celebration and deployed officers to key locations across the city.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the command acknowledged its awareness of the scheduled October 1 protest and urged residents to avoid actions that could lead to disorder.
The statement read: “In light of the upcoming ‘October 1 nationwide protest’ associated with the hashtag #FearlessInOctober, scheduled for October 1, 2024, the Rivers State Police Command wishes to express its awareness of the situation.
“We urge all residents to refrain from participating in activities that may disrupt lawful proceedings and infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens in Rivers State.
“It is vital that the peace we currently enjoy is not compromised, as recent events have demonstrated that protests can be exploited by individuals or criminal elements intent on causing disruption, often leading to regrettable incidents within our community.
“To uphold law and order and ensure the safety of all residents, the Commissioner of Police has deployed officers to strategic locations throughout the state. These measures are not intended to instil fear but to safeguard lives and property, maintain law and order, and ensure the free movement of vehicles.”
