A section of Nigerians have declared their intention to hold protests on Tuesday, October 1, when the West African nation will be celebrating its 64th independence anniversary, Peoplesmind reported.
The protest organisers say the demonstrations, dubbed #FearlessOctober1, will be held across the country to push for the reinstatement of fuel subsidy, and also address other public concerns.
Juwon Sanyaolu, the national coordinator of a Nigerian youth movement, said on Sunday that police have been informed about the planned protests as required by law.
“We have written to the inspector-general of police informing him of our protest locations,” Sanyaolu said, as quoted by Nigeria’s Punch newspaper.
The organisers of the protests say they will convene at the Eagle Square in the capital Abuja, and at Ikeja Underbridge in the commercial city Lagos.
Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the deployment of police officers to strategic state facilities to protect them against possible destruction.
Egbetokun has also urged planners of the protests to rescind their decision.
The organisers of the demonstrations say their previous pleas to the government on easing economic hardship went unheeded, therefore occasioning the fresh wave of street action.
Nigeria is currently grappling with a cost of living crisis wrought by inflation, a relatively week naira, and removal of fuel subsidy.
According to the United Nations, at least 25 million Nigerians face a hunger crisis.
Peoplesmind
