International Warnings Ahead of Planned Protests in Nigeria

As Nigeria gears up for a wave of protests starting on August 1st, several foreign missions have issued warnings to their citizens. Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada are advising their nationals to stay alert and avoid crowded areas.

The U.S. Embassy has recommended that citizens monitor local media, steer clear of demonstrations, and keep their phones charged in case of emergencies. They also emphasized the importance of having proper identification while in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Canada’s embassy has cautioned its citizens that the planned protests could disrupt traffic and public transport, and they could potentially turn violent. They advised anyone in Nigeria to expect a heavier security presence and to remain vigilant throughout their stay.

In the United Kingdom, a security update has confirmed that extensive public protests are a possibility across Nigeria. This comes after youth groups, particularly the ‘Take It Back Movement‘, affirm their commitment to protest regardless of government objections.

Damilare Adenola, a leader of this movement, spoke on television, explaining that young people are fed up and need to voice their dissatisfaction with government wrongdoings. However, the Nigerian government has called for the protests to be canceled, citing fears of disorder reminiscent of the ‘End SARS’ protests in 2020.

In those previous protests, the government claimed that hoodlums took over the demonstrations, leading to significant vandalism of government properties. In response to the impending protests, the Nigerian police have set out guidelines that they want the organizers to follow.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called for protest leaders to submit their names and contact details, stating that protests must end by 4 PM each day. In Rivers State, police commissioner Olatunji Disu expressed that they are well-prepared for any situation that might arise.

Disu reassured that there would be no conflict and highlighted that officers have undergone extensive training in preparation for the protests. Meanwhile, governors from various states are engaging with youth and community groups to encourage calm and dialogue.

In Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke is set to meet with representatives from civil society and security chiefs to discuss governance issues. Similarly, Abia State Governor Alex Otti urged young people to think twice about the potential consequences of taking to the streets.

Otti explained that street protests could restrict movement for others and cause more hardship. In a different note, the human rights organization Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to stop threatening protesters. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the chairman for Amnesty in Nigeria, highlighted the government’s duty to protect peaceful demonstrations as part of democracy.