By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Curfews Imposed Amid Nationwide Demonstrations Over High Cost of Living
Millions of residents in northern Nigeria have been placed under 24 hour curfews in response to nationwide protests against the high cost of living. Governments in the states of Kano, Jigawa, Yobe, and Katsina have instructed residents to remain indoors on Friday, prohibiting participation in protests.
Authorities justify the curfew by stating that "hoodlums" have hijacked the protests to loot and vandalize properties. A heavy security presence is observed around the country, with nine more "days of rage" planned by the movement's organizers. The first day of demonstrations in Kano saw the largest turnout, where police used live bullets, tear gas, and hot water to disperse thousands of demonstrators. Tragically, three people were shot dead, and many others were injured.
Looters broke into a warehouse near the Kano governor's residence, resulting in the arrest of 269 individuals and the recovery of many stolen items, including 25 litre groundnut oil cartons. According to Amnesty International, 13 protesters across Nigeria were killed by security forces on the first day of protests.
In Borno state, a day long curfew was imposed following a deadly bombing that killed 16 people at a teashop in the rural community of Kawori. Although no group has claimed responsibility, locals suspect Boko Haram, a jihadist group active in the region since 2009. The curfew in Borno was enforced after protests began in the state capital, Maiduguri, where police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
The nationwide protests were organized via social media, inspired by the recent success of Kenyan protesters in forcing their government to scrap plans for increased taxes. During Thursday's protests, largely peaceful in the south but met with tear gas in Abuja, demonstrators chanted slogans such as "We are hungry." Many protesters are angered by President Bola Tinubu’s removal of a fuel subsidy, announced during his inauguration speech in May 2023. This move aimed to reduce government expenditure but resulted in soaring pump prices and increased costs for other goods, including food.
Protesters are also calling for comprehensive reforms to the country's electoral system and judiciary. A spokesperson for Kano's governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, stated that while protests were largely peaceful, the curfew was necessary due to "rampant looting, destruction of property, and violence" by "thugs." Similarly, the Yobe State Government imposed curfews in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru, citing the need to prevent "hoodlums" from vandalizing and looting properties. Katsina's government also reported that "miscreants" had "hijacked the protests" there.
