A group of victims from the recent #EndBadGovernance protest has issued a warning against the planned October 1 protest, citing severe consequences from the previous demonstration.
The Victims of #EndBadGovernance Protest (VEGP) claimed that the earlier protest led to the deaths of innocent protesters and resulted in significant suffering, including wounds, scars, and financial losses, particularly in northern Nigeria.
During a press conference in Kaduna, VEGP leader Ibrahim Musa Kauru cautioned that another protest without a clear agenda could further endanger and impoverish citizens. He alleged that the protest was largely orchestrated by individuals from abroad, while local citizens faced the repercussions.
Kauru criticized the previous protest for yielding no tangible results and lamented the lack of support or compensation for victims. He referenced a report by the United Action Front of Civil Society, which indicated that 21 protesters were killed and over 1,100 arrested on the protest’s first day.
Victims shared their personal experiences, including Amina Abubakar, a student who was mobilized to join the protest, and Malam Garba Ibn Mohammed, who lost his 22-year-old son. Emmanuel Okonkwo, an Igbo trader, recounted his shop being looted during the protest and warned of the risk of hoodlums hijacking future demonstrations.
The victims urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to be cautious and avoid being manipulated for political purposes. They called on the government and security agencies to prevent any new protests to avoid further destruction and loss of life.