Nigerian president calls for end to protests, urges halt to ‘bloodshed’

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for an immediate suspension of nationwide protests and an end to “bloodshed” following a crackdown by security forces on rallies against economic hardship.

The protests began last week with thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets to protest government policies and the high cost of living.

Rights violations, security force actions

Amnesty International has accused security forces of killing at least 13 protesters, while police claim seven people have died, denying responsibility for the deaths.

Tinubu made his first public comments on the protests in a televised address, urging demonstrators to halt further actions and open the door for dialogue.

I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and the frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens. But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart. We must stop further bloodshed, violence, and destruction.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Economic challenges

Tinubu defended his administration’s record and outlined measures to benefit young Nigerians and the economy.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is grappling with high inflation and a depreciating naira following the end of a fuel subsidy and the liberalization of the currency, reforms the government argues will improve the economy in the long term.

The protest movement, dubbed #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria, has gained significant support through an online campaign.

However, officials have warned against attempts to emulate recent anti-government protests in Kenya, where demonstrators forced the president to abandon new taxes.

Arrests, amnesty international’s appeal

Nigerian police reported nearly 700 arrests in the first two days of the protests, accusing those detained of “armed robbery, arson, mischief,” and property destruction.

Amnesty International has called on the police to release the demonstrators and refrain from using live rounds to disperse crowds.

Security personnel at the locations where lives were lost deliberately used tactics designed to kill while dealing with gatherings of people protesting hunger and deep poverty

Amnesty International

Continued clashes, Kano deaths

While protests subsided in many areas on Saturday, security forces again fired teargas at demonstrators in Abuja. In Kano, residents reported that police killed three people during a rally in the Rijiyar Lemo district.

According to witnesses, police fired live bullets and tear gas at a crowd throwing stones, resulting in the deaths of two minors and a pregnant woman.

“Three people were killed, including two minors and a pregnant woman who was hit as she was crossing the road,” said resident Sanusi Usman.

Police have yet to respond to requests for comment on these incidents.