Nigerians are frustrated by economic hardship but authorities fear planned protests could turn ugly
Nigerians are planning nationwide protests this week against the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Frustrated with growing economic hardships, Nigerians are planning nationwide protests this week against the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
And with momentum soaring on social media, authorities fear a replay of the deadly 2020 demonstrations against police brutality in this West African nation — or a wave of violence similar to last month’s protests in Kenya, where a tax hike led to chaos in the capital, Nairobi.
The government of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu says it is determined to prevent such a scenario in a country that has long been a top African oil producer but whose citizens are among the world’s poorest.
On Wednesday, security forces were deployed on major roads in cities, including the capital of Abuja and the country's largest, Lagos. Authorities touted the positives, appealing to organizers to shelve plans for the protests.
