T he hunger protests that erupted across Nigeria, especially in the northern regions, have significantly diminished following a police crackdown on organizers and protesters, many of whom are now detained. Notably, some leaders of the #EndBadGovernance protests have gone underground, with the Department of State Services (DSS) detaining seven Polish nationals for displaying Russian flags during a demonstration in Kano on Tuesday.
DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, confirmed the arrests, explaining that they were part of routine security enforcement rather than targeting Polish nationals specifically. The protests, which had gained traction in major cities like Kano, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Niger, Kebbi, Abuja, and other northern towns, saw escalating violence. In some instances, security officials' actions sparked the violence, while in other cases, it was driven by overzealous protesters or counter-protesters.
Media reports and footage showed some #EndBadGovernance protesters carrying Russian flags. In a national broadcast on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu urged the organizers to suspend the protests, citing violence in some states and the resulting loss of lives and property destruction.
Scheduled nationwide between August 1 and 10, 2024, the protests have faltered, with no demonstrations held in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Borno, and other states on Wednesday. The police arrested 873 protesters and detained 30 others for waving Russian flags in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and Bauchi states. Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, stated that individuals waving Russian flags committed treason and would be prosecuted.
The DSS is investigating four political figures from Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano states for allegedly encouraging the use of Russian flags to incite an unconstitutional regime change. DSS spokesman Afunanya, addressing the Polish Ambassador during a briefing with the Diplomatic Corps in Abuja, confirmed the arrests and emphasized that the actions were part of standard security procedures.
The United Kingdom, the United States, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have called for dialogue to address the protests. They expressed support for President Tinubu's economic reforms, emphasizing their importance for Nigeria's future prosperity.
British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery and his US counterpart, Amb Richard Mills, stressed the need for dialogue and peace-building efforts to address the protesters' concerns. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened a meeting to brief the international community on the protests.
ECOWAS expressed concern over the protests, noting reports of violence, fatalities, and property destruction. The commission recognized citizens' rights to peaceful protests as enshrined in the 2001 ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and Nigeria's 1999 Constitution. They welcomed President Tinubu's call for inclusive dialogue to address grievances and ensure peace and security.
In Kano, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II attributed the violence to intelligence failures. During a visit to affected sites, he criticized the security agencies for not preventing the attacks despite prior warnings. The Kano Printing Press, established in 1938, was among the facilities vandalized.
As tensions eased, curfews imposed in some northern states were partially lifted. In Borno, authorities observed a temporary lift of the curfew following a Security Council meeting, though a heavy security presence remained in Maiduguri. In Kaduna, the shooting of a boy raised tensions, prompting an extension of the 24-hour curfew in Kaduna and Zaria towns.
Despite the crackdown, Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, argued that the protests had not died down. He criticized the government's continued crackdown on free speech, making it unsafe for activists and citizens to exercise their rights.
As the situation evolves, the Nigerian government and international community are urged to maintain dialogue and address the underlying issues driving the protests to ensure lasting peace and stability.
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