Several state police commands in Nigeria’s north have begun prosecuting arrested demonstrators as part of the 10-day #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria countrywide protest.
While the protests were mostly peaceful in the South, they became violent in the North, with numerous lives lost and property worth billions of naira destroyed, prompting the implementation of a curfew in no fewer than five states.
The protests, which took place from August 1 to 10, were in response to the rising cost of living, which has been exacerbated by the withdrawal of fuel subsidies, 28-year-high inflation, and government economic policies that have pushed the naira to a record low versus the dollar.
At least 17 persons were reportedly killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna and Jigawa, and several others were injured on the opening day of the protest with Amnesty International condemning the use of deadly action against the protesters and accusing the security operatives of killing at least 21 protesters.
Police arrested protesters, some of whom waved the Russian flag, in Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi, Borno, and Jigawa as the demonstrations assumed a violent dimension, announcing that they would be duly prosecuted.
“Monday, August 12, 2024 has been earmarked for the continuation of the case, where those facing charges will have the opportunity to either accept or contest the allegations.
“Should they choose to accept the charges, they will undergo a summary trial presided over by a judge at the Magistrate Court in Damaturu, Yobe State.”
