A security alert has been issued by the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada to their citizens in Nigeria, warning of potential violence during the planned nationwide protest, which is set to commence on August 1st, 2024.
In an advisory issued by the three countries, citizens were cautioned to avoid areas where confrontations with police and other security agencies are common.
In the advisory released on Monday by the US Mission in Abuja, the country noted that, according to media reports, nationwide protests across the country protest may occur in Nigeria between July 29th and August 5th, 2024. the statement further highlighted that a based protest of such roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion, and physical confrontations was witnessed.
In a separate statement from the UK High Commission, the commission noted the bad turnout of such demonstrations in the past, which have turned violent; in that light, the statement advised British nationals to stay informed about media reports and avoid large gatherings.
The statement further advised British citizens to be cautious when moving on July 29th and 10 August, when the planned protest is set to commence.
The statement reads in part, “Political rallies, protests, and violent demonstrations can take place with little notice. Get advice on areas to avoid. Take care if you’re visiting crowded public places or attending events which attract large crowds. If you see a threatening or intimidating situation, do not try to make your way through it. Turn around and move to safety”.
From the Canadian Commission, citizens were advised to expect traffic disruption in public transportation and the likelihood of escalated demonstrations, which has been seen in the past. The statement advised the citizens to adhere to local instructions and take safety precautions.
“Nationwide demonstrations are planned between July 29 to August 5, 2024. They could disrupt traffic and public transportation and could turn violent at any time,” the advisory reads.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the protest have vowed to going with the plan protest despite threats and intimadation by the government and security agencies.
Damilare Adenola, the Director of Mobilisation of Take It Back Movement, a non-governmental organisation that the mobilizers of the August protest noted that the major motive for the protest is the rate of hunger and the state of things in the country; he further noted that the calling the organizers faceless is unjustifiable.
Speaking on the approval of the Eagles Square, Damilare explained that the government of FCT led by Nyesome Wike, the minister of FCT, has no choice but to approve the venue for the protesters because it is public property. He further questioned the minister’s request for rent and payment for another service at the venue, noting that Nigerians in the middle of poverty can not mobilize resources for such.
The Director of Mobilization further explained that the organizers of the planned protest were hungry Nigerians, unemployed Nigerians, out-of-school children, and citizens who had lost hope in the face of adversity facing the nation.
He further confirmed that the organisation’s account had been blocked after the Directorate of State Services ordered the bank to do so; he noted that a series of inquiries sent to the bank had not been responded to.
He charged security agents to make themselves available at all protest grounds to avert the disruption and hijack of the demonstration by hungry Nigerians.
