Nigerians are organizing nationwide protests this week to address the most severe cost-of-living crisis the country has faced in decades.
With significant support building on social media, authorities are apprehensive about a potential recurrence of the fatal demonstrations against police brutality in 2020 or unrest similar to recent protests in Kenya, which erupted in chaos in Nairobi following a tax increase.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s government is committed to avoiding this situation.
Local media reported Tuesday that organizers of the planned protests, set for Thursday in response to escalating economic hardships, have rejected a proposal from Nigeria’s police to hold rallies in confined spaces.
Human Rights Watch commented that the officials’ response suggests a troubling readiness to stifle dissent.
