The nationwide EndBadGovernance protest, which began on Thursday, has turned violent, with widespread looting and clashes reported across major cities. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has condemned the escalation and expressed grave concerns over the protest’s turn towards anarchy.
Protests were held in several states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, but the initial day saw significant unrest. Key flashpoints included Kano, Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Niger, Jigawa, and Nasarawa states. In response, some states have imposed curfews to control the situation.
At a press conference, IGP Egbetokun criticized the organizers for failing to provide leadership and failing to heed police warnings. He said, “We had intelligence indicating that some groups intended to incite violence under the guise of a peaceful protest. Despite our efforts to facilitate a safe demonstration, the reality on the ground was mass looting and destruction.”
The IGP noted that security forces had been deployed across the nation to maintain order, but the day’s events revealed a different agenda among some protesters. “Hoodlums exploited the protest to commit widespread vandalism, attacking police stations, looting government buildings, and destroying private property.”
In particular, there were severe incidents, including an explosion in Borno State that resulted in four deaths and 34 injuries. The police also thwarted a suspected bomb threat in Lagos.
The IGP appealed for calm and urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies to ensure safety and stability. “We remain committed to upholding the law and protecting lives and property. We will continue to work with other security forces to address any threats to public order.”
As the situation develops, the Nigeria Police Force has put all units on high alert and is prepared to respond decisively to further disturbances.
