Police officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, fired teargas at demonstrators during the #FearlessOctober protest on Tuesday. The protest, aimed at opposing the hardships and poverty under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, drew many Nigerians to the streets of Abuja and Lagos.
According to reports from SaharaReporters, the police were seen launching teargas canisters and live ammunition at the peaceful protesters. The demonstrators, who had gathered in areas around Jabi and Utako, were forced to flee for safety due to the aggressive response from law enforcement.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, protesters rallied under tight security at Ikeja Underbridge, marking Independence Day with demands for economic reform. Displaying placards with messages like “Reverse electricity tariff now” and “Reduce petrol price to ₦197 per litre; end scarcity,” the protestors voiced their frustration over rising costs and the state of the economy.
Civil society groups such as the Take It Back Movement, Education Rights Campaign, Coalition for Revolution, and Socialist Workers League led the protests, which follow a similar demonstration held just two months earlier as economic conditions continue to deteriorate.
Hyelsinta Hassan