Abuja: Police in Nigeria have been placed on high alert and may request military assistance following violent protests in several cities, resulting in at least three deaths, according to the Inspector General of Police.
Major cities, including the capital Abuja and Kano in the north, experienced clashes between police and protesters, along with incidents of looting, on Thursday. However, by early Friday, these cities appeared calm, although further protests are anticipated.
Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun announced late Thursday that the police have been fully mobilized and are ready to address any additional threats to public safety and order.
“In the light of the current situation, the Nigeria Police Force has placed all units on red alert,” Egbetokun said. “The Police is equipped to respond appropriately to the unfolding situation and will get assistance from other security agencies, including the military if the need arises.”
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The “#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria” protests, inspired by similar youth-led demonstrations in Kenya, were organized online with a pledge to continue for 10 days. The protesters are upset with President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, which have led to high inflation, a weakened currency, and increased hardship for many Nigerians.
President Tinubu has acknowledged the difficulties caused by these reforms but maintains that they are essential for steering Nigeria’s economy toward sustained growth.
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In response to the unrest, Kano, a densely populated Muslim-majority state, has imposed a 24-hour curfew after protests led to the looting of a shop and a government complex. Additionally, three other states have also imposed curfews in certain areas.
