- By Halimah Olamide
Images of the 2020 police brutality protests have surfaced in Nigeria with a renewed vigour as Nigerian authorities seek to dissuade organisers of the planned nationwide protests against a possible repeat of violence.
NPO Reports that some individuals and organisations are putting finishing touches to massive nationwide protests over the current state of the economy.
Last year’s removal of petrol subsidy has precipitated a wave of unfavourable economic hardship. The cost of living is believed to have hiked considerably with figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, a government owned data agency, showing that things are going south.
The presidency, National Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders and some political leaders have spoken against the planned protest saying it is ill-timed.
In the last 48 hours, images of the destructions, killings and other forms of violence that characterised the 2020 protest have surfaced with comments suggesting that Nigerians must learn from the errors of the past.
Prominent among images being shared are those of burning of police stations, destruction of mass transport system vehicles, public infrastructure like traffic lights, government offices, looting of shops and other forms of violence.
NPO Reports that some policemen were also killed in the protests as they made to stop protesters from venting their anger.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that while he is not afraid of protest, his main concern is the propensity for it to be hijacked by hoodlums.
“Our concern is the ordinary people, and the damages that will be done. Till today, I cannot forget the brand new 60 and 100 seater buses, down there in Lagos that were burnt down, and we are now complaining of transportation. That is the problem,” he had told traditional rulers who met him at the State House Abuja.
Spokesman of the Police in Nigeria, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has been at the vanguard of those reminding Nigerians of the horror that accompanied the 2020 protests.
“Never again,” Adejobi has been saying in some of the images he has shared;.
On Saturday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos met with some individuals who are members of various self-determination groups in Lagos.
He said his engagement was to make them see reason why protests cannot solve the present problems.
“I emphasized that the State Government fully recognizes and respects the citizens’ right to express themselves. However, such expressions must be conducted within the bounds of the law. It is essential that we maintain order and peace, especially considering the potential for unrest.
“I urged the civil society organizations to play their part in ensuring that any protests remain peaceful and orderly. The memory of the wanton destruction of public and private property during previous protests is still fresh in our minds, and I firmly believe that we all must avoid a repeat of such incidents.” he had told the group