#FearlessInOctober Protest Turns Violent: Police Deploy Teargas, Live Bullets in Abuja

Nigerian Police Clamp Down on #FearlessInOctober Protesters in Abuja.

Thousands of Nigerians gathered in Abuja today to protest against the economic hardship and poverty exacerbated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The peaceful demonstration, tagged #FearlessInOctober, quickly turned violent as Nigerian police operatives fired teargas canisters and live ammunition at protesters in the Jabi and Utako areas of the Federal Capital Territory.

Eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as protesters scampered for safety. The demonstration, convened by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, aimed to draw attention to the struggles Nigerians face, including hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and poverty.

Protesters chanted “We are hungry” and displayed banners criticizing the government’s policies. One protester lamented, “We are buying fuel N1000 and you expect us not to come out and protest. What are we saying – we are hungry?”

Sowore, who has spent five of the last six years in prison or detention under trumped-up charges, vowed to continue protesting until the government meets the people’s demands. He emphasized that protests are a fundamental right, enshrined in every Nigerian’s DNA, to voice opposition to anti-people policies.

This development echoes previous incidents where Nigerian police have used force to disperse protesters, including the #BuhariMustGo protest. The international community is watching as Nigeria’s democracy faces another test.