Organizers of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have strongly condemned the actions of Nigeria Police Force officers who attacked demonstrators at the Berger Roundabout in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident occurred early Friday morning when police officers stationed at the roundabout used tear gas on both protesters and journalists who had gathered for the second day of demonstrations.
Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilization for the ‘Take It Back Movement,’ one of the groups organizing the protests, issued a statement criticizing the police response.
“Today’s brutal harassment of peaceful protesters at Berger Junction by the police is a stark reminder that the Tinubu administration’s claims of democracy are nothing but a facade,” Adenola said.
He added, “Despite donning the garb of freedom, its actions reek of tyranny. This blatant disregard for human rights will only serve to further provoke the already impoverished and hungry Nigerians, who will not be silenced.”
The protests, which began on Thursday, aim to draw attention to various issues of governance in Nigeria, including economic hardship, insecurity, and allegations of corruption. The use of force against peaceful demonstrators has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to democratic principles and freedom of assembly.
The Nigeria Police Force has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. However, the attack on protesters and journalists has already drawn widespread criticism from civil society groups and human rights organizations.
