The Nigerian military has issued a stern warning, signaling its readiness to intervene if the situation escalates further.
The nationwide demonstrations, which began on August 1, have seen thousands of Nigerians take to the streets, voicing their frustrations over economic hardships, corruption, and insecurity.
The protests have been marked by significant unrest, particularly in northern states like Kano and Yobe, where authorities imposed 24-hour curfews following violent incidents involving protesters attacking and burning vehicles.
In the capital city of Abuja, police resorted to firing tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds, resulting in at least 13 deaths and over 300 arrests, according to Amnesty International.
President Bola Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, has faced mounting criticism for his administration's handling of the economy.
His decision to remove a longstanding fuel subsidy has led to unprecedented economic challenges, with food inflation reaching 40%—the highest in nearly three decades.
"People [in government] that got free education came into power and withdrew free education," lamented Samuel Adeleke, a law student protesting in Lagos.
"Do they want them to drop out?" Despite government efforts to quell the unrest by raising the minimum wage and offering job opportunities and grants, many Nigerians remain unconvinced.
"I am here to let the government know that there is something serious happening in this Nigeria.
The whole place is bad, we work so hard yet go home with so little," said Adeola Babatunde, a mother of four participating in the protests.
The military's recent statements have raised concerns about a potential crackdown reminiscent of the brutal suppression of the #EndSARS protests in October 2020, where security forces killed at least 12 unarmed protesters.
Human Rights Watch researcher Anietie Ewang highlighted the troubling rhetoric from senior officials, noting that it suggests a readiness to stifle dissent.
"Rather than undermining the right to protest, authorities should address the underlying issues that are driving the protests," Ewang urged.
As the protests continue to gain momentum, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the grievances of Africa's most populous nation.
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