Nigeria Independence Day 2024: List of States Where Protests Were Held

Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence Day on Tuesday, October 1, with protests in several parts of the state, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu addressed Nigerians in a nationwide broadcast earlier in the day but kept mute about the planned protest across the country. The protest organisers have tagged it # FearlessInOctober.

FCT, other states where protests were held on Tuesday
Photo Credit: @channelstvSource: Getty Images

The #FearlessInOctober protest saw a low turnout in Abuja and various states due to the heavy presence of security operatives. On October 1, police dispersed protesters in the Utako area of Abuja with tear gas, but the FCT police command denied attacking the youths.

This protest was a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance movement, which took place from August 1 to 10. That movement drew attention to the economic hardships many Nigerians face, with protests held in 25 states and the FCT.

Below is the list of states where protests were held on Tuesday, October 1:

Ikeja, Lagos

Protesters gathered at Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos yesterday, marking Nigeria’s 2024 Independence Day with demands for change. The rally was closely monitored by a large contingent of security personnel, including policemen, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps officials, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Lagos State Commissioner of Police Olanrewaju Ishola led the police team. The protesters, chanting solidarity songs, displayed placards with inscriptions like “Reverse electricity tariff now,” “End all attacks on democratic rights,” “Reduce petrol price to N197 per litre, end scarcity,” and “Profit soars while people suffer”.

Was the protest held in Ogun state?

In Ogun State, Nigeria, security was unusually tight yesterday, October 1, 2024, with soldiers, police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officers deployed to various approved protest venues. These venues included the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Gateway Stadium in Sagamu, Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, and Ansar-Ud-Deen Comprehensive High School in Ota. However, surprisingly, no protesters showed up at any of these locations.

The usual Independence Day celebrations, typically held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, were relocated to the Arcade Ground at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta. This shift didn’t seem to disrupt daily life in the state, with people going about their normal activities in areas like Mowe, Interchange, Okemosan, Panseke, and Kuto.

Source: TheTalk.NG

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