President Bola Tinubu’s request for an end to the ongoing protests against the cost of living crisis has been dismissed by demonstrators across Nigeria. Protesters in Lagos and Abuja have criticized the president for not addressing their core demands, including reinstating subsidies, lowering education costs, and holding accountable the police officers responsible for recent fatalities.
Amnesty International reported that at least 13 people were killed in confrontations with security forces on the first day of protests, though the police have reported seven deaths as of Saturday. The police’s figures include four fatalities from an explosive device in Borno state, two from being struck by a vehicle, and one shot by a guard during a protest-related looting incident.
In a televised statement, President Tinubu expressed his openness to dialogue but failed to quell the unrest. In Lagos, protesters faced aggression from individuals in civilian clothing, with one person being arrested. Despite these challenges, the protesters have remained steadfast in their demands.
Protester Opeyemi Folarin criticized the police’s inaction, stating, “You saw the government thugs who came here to attack me. I tried to run, and the police didn’t do anything. It’s a shame that they’re not safeguarding our lives.”
Fellow protester Ifeayo Oluwafemi added, “We are not going anywhere. The president’s comments this morning mean nothing to us.”
