Following the economic hardship and hunger in the country as a result of the reforms being introduced by the present administration, some aggrieved Nigerians have hit the streets asking the government to reverse the ‘anti-people’ reforms.
Organised by the Take-It-Back Movement (TIB), the African Action Congress party (AAC), the Joint Action Front (JAF), the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), the Socialist Workers and the Youth League (SWL) and PRP Vanguard, the mass protest started at 7am in Lagos State.
The #June12Protest tagged: “WeAreHungry” was intended to draw the attention of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to the untold hardship being faced by the poor Nigerians.
In spite of the reform initiatives like removal of fuel subsidy, removal of electricity subsidy, exchange rates unification, and tightening of policy rates to fight inflation, the quality of life of the citizens has not improved.
Some of the protesters were seen carrying placards like: Revolution now, Reverse Anti-People Policies, Join the Movement to Fight for Better Nigeria, Tinubu’s Economic Reform is a Scam, etc.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Igbetokun has warned against violent protests, and disruption of critical infrastructure.
In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP warned that it is a criminal offence to tamper with the national grid or prevent/ disrupt the transmission of electricity.
He said, it is equally unacceptable to cause disruption to any other critical Infrastructure such as airports, hospitals and other essential services, or violent picketing in whatever magnitude.
He has however, directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and State Command Commissioners of Police in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure robust security arrangements are in place to prevent any breakdown of law and order including strategic deployments to protect key infrastructures and ensure that protests, if any, remain peaceful and lawful.
