The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its crackdown on nationwide peaceful protests against hunger, hardship, and poor governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
On Saturday, police arrested Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) for the upcoming Ondo State election, and Patrick Owolabi, a member of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, in Akure, the Ondo State capital. This occurred on the 10th day of the nationwide hunger protest, #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.
In response, TIB condemned the arrests, calling them “unfortunate and shameful,” and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Ajayi and Owolabi. TIB criticized the police for failing to respect the right to peaceful protest.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that residents of Ondo State participated in a one-million-man march on Saturday to mark the 10th day of the nationwide protest. Protesters carried banners and placards with messages like “We are hungry. End Bad Governance in Nigeria” in Akure.
The peaceful protests, which have been expressing frustration with President Tinubu’s economic policies, have turned violent in various parts of the country. Police and security forces have clamped down on both protesters and journalists covering the demonstrations.