UN warns of potential hijacking of planned protests against economic hardship in Nigeria

The United Nations' Department of Safety and Security has issued a warning that planned protests in Nigeria could be hijacked by groups with ulterior motives.

According to reports, various Nigerian groups are planning a nationwide protest from August 1 to 10, dubbed "10 days of rage," to address the country's soaring cost of living and economic hardship.

The Cable reports that in a security assessment dated July 19, the UN expressed concerns about potential violence during upcoming protests in Nigeria, highlighting past incidents where similar demonstrations had turned volatile.

It reads: "Recall that in the 13-16 February 2023 interval, tensions generated by the paucity of new Naira currency (financial crisis) reached high levels amongst the civilian population, which materialized in violent protests in the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, in the states of Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, and Rivers.

"During the civil unrest in the different states, several bank branches and ATM points were vandalized, and major roads were blocked.

"As the turnout for the '10 days of rage' protest is expected to be high, large-scale disruptions to normal economic and social activities cannot be discounted."

The threat assessment also indicated that clashes between government supporters and dissenting groups cannot be ruled out from late July through August 10-15.

"While acknowledging the economic hardship in the country, some organizations and leaders of ethnic groups (especially in South-South and South-East) were discouraging participation in any of the 1-10 August protests (E.g. Ọhanaeze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural organization in Nigeria, claiming to represent the interests of all Igbos).

"This highlights the possibility of the events being hijacked by other interest groups/detractors, thus complicating the security landscape of different areas."

However, Vanguard reports that Bola Tinubu has pleaded with the aggrieved Nigerians, especially the youths who are planning a national protest over the high cost of leaving to shelve the planned action, saying there is no need for it.

The President also assured those behind the planned national protest that he has heard their grievances and is working seriously to ensure that all their concerns are addressed.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed the President's plea while speaking with State House correspondents after he his meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Minister said that at the meeting with the President, general issues on the country were discussed and the President said he was working assiduously to ensure that the country's economy is placed in a good position.

He said, "We discussed the issue of the country in general and Mr President has asked me to again inform Nigerians that he listens to them, especially the young people that are trying to protest.

"Mr President said he listens to them and takes what they say seriously and he is working assiduously to ensure that this country is good not just for today but also for the future.

"The issue of the planned protest, Mr President does not see any need for that he asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await the government's response to all their pleas, he has listened to them.