Thousands of mostly young people took to the streets in Nigeria to protest against the country's severe cost-of-living crisis. The demonstrations, which occurred in various locations, were met with tear gas from security forces in some instances.
In Abuja, police officers dispersed protesters with tear gas after a court order restricted the protest to a stadium. Similar scenes unfolded in Bauchi and Borno states, where security forces also used tear gas to control the crowds.
Nigeria, despite being a major oil producer, faces significant poverty and hunger issues. Public officials in the country are among the highest-paid in Africa, highlighting the stark inequality that exists.
Concerns were raised by rights groups and activists about a potential crackdown on the protests. The international rights group Human Rights Watch expressed worries about the government's readiness to stifle dissent.
Businesses across the country closed amid fears of a repeat of past violent protests. Demonstrators demanded the reinstatement of gas and electricity subsidies, which were removed as part of government reforms aimed at boosting the economy.
Protesters voiced their frustrations, emphasizing their desire for a better quality of life. The demonstrations, initially planned for 10 days, are set to continue until their demands are addressed.
Issues of deadly security crises in the conflict-affected north also fueled the protests. President Bola Tinubu, who had pledged to address these challenges during his campaign, faces mounting pressure as the country grapples with ongoing security and economic difficulties.
