In Abuja, Nigeria, clashes between protesters and security forces resulted in the deaths of at least nine people, according to a rights group. The country is currently facing an economic crisis, leading to mass demonstrations. Additionally, authorities reported that a police officer was killed and several others were injured in the violence. In Borno state, four protesters were killed and 34 injured by a bomb in the midst of the ongoing conflict.
More than 300 protesters were taken into custody, and curfews were enforced in four northern states following incidents of government and public property looting, as confirmed by Nigerian police. National police chief Kayode Egbetokun mentioned that the police are on high alert and may request military assistance. Amnesty International independently verified the reported deaths through witnesses, victims’ families, and lawyers.
The protests primarily focused on food shortages, mismanagement, and corruption in Nigeria, which is the most populous country in Africa. Despite being one of the top oil producers on the continent, Nigeria is home to some of the world’s poorest and most food-insecure individuals. Demonstrators, many of whom were young, voiced their demands while waving placards and the country’s flag.
Violence and looting predominantly occurred in Nigeria’s northern states, where food insecurity and instability are rampant. Looters were seen fleeing with stolen items such as furniture and cooking oil. Police chief Egbetokun stated that the police aimed to maintain peace, but acknowledged that the events in major cities pointed to widespread looting rather than peaceful protests.
Rights groups and activists refuted the police chief’s claims, contending that security personnel used lethal tactics at protest sites. Concerns arose that the demonstrations, fueled by social media, could escalate similarly to the 2020 anti-police brutality protests or the recent violent tax hike protests in Kenya. According to Anietie Ewang, a Nigerian researcher with Human Rights Watch, the level of force utilized by officers may have been excessive given the nature of the threats posed during the protests.
