Nigerian police on Tuesday fired teargas at hundreds of protesters participating in the #FearlessInOctober demonstration against poverty, hardship, and bad governance in Abuja. The crackdown, which took place in the Jabi and Utako areas of the Federal Capital Territory, caused residents to flee and protesters to scramble for safety.
Tuesday’s protests were part of a nationwide movement calling for an end to economic hardship, insecurity, and poor leadership. Demonstrators carried banners that read “We are hungry” and “Enough is Enough – Revolution Now.”
The protests occur as Nigerians face soaring food prices, fuel costs, and widespread poverty. A bag of rice now costs around N100,000, while fuel prices have exceeded N1,000.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing protesters injured during the police response, but organizers have yet to release an official casualty count. Before being dispersed, one protester voiced their frustration, stating, “The Nigerian government seeks to repress, suppress, and oppress the Nigerian people to the point where they become too afraid to express their fundamental rights.
“However, today, we are showing the government through our actions here that our voices can never be silenced. The government should not expect us to remain quiet in the face of our poverty, suffering, insecurity, and poor leadership in every sector. A bag of rice costs about N100,000, and we are buying fuel for over N1,000. And you say that is not enough? No.”
The #FearlessInOctober protests, which began on Tuesday morning, attracted Nigerians from various walks of life. The demonstrations aimed to pressure the government to address the country’s economic issues and ensure better living conditions.