On Thursday morning, police tear-gassed defiant #EndBadGovernance protesters at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, a site now symbolic for civil demonstrations since the 2020 #EndSARS protests against police brutality.
Initially deserted, the Lekki Tollgate saw a surge of protesters around 11 a.m., who carried placards condemning President Bola Tinubu’s administration and chanting solidarity songs.
Demonstrators gather during the End Bad Governance protest at Ikeja, Lagos, on August 1, 2024. (Photo by Benson Ibeabuchi / Bloomberg / AFP)
The demonstrators expressed frustration over widespread hunger and economic hardship, urging the government to act swiftly.
A heavy security presence, including police, soldiers, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers, and Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency personnel, was deployed to the tollgate.
Nigerian policemen take position near protestors gathering during the End Bad Governance protest in Abuja on August 1, 2024. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)
The security forces informed the protesters of a court order restricting their gathering to Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu on Lagos mainland. Despite this, the protesters refused to relocate and continued their demonstration until being dispersed by police teargas.
The nationwide protests against economic hardship, which began on August 1, 2024, are set to continue until August 10 across all states and the capital, Abuja.
With food and basic commodity prices soaring due to high inflation and government policies like petrol subsidy removal and forex window unification, the protests reflect growing discontent.
Authorities had cautioned against protests mimicking the 2020 EndSARS demonstrations, but youth participation remains strong despite warnings from politicians and security agencies.
