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Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Authorities in Nigeria warn against calling for coup after protests

While nationwide protests appeared to have ebbed Tuesday, the Nigerian government said it will not tolerate calls for coups after some protesters in northwest Kano and Kaduna states waved Russian flags while marching in the streets Monday.

Nigeria’s defense chiefs told journalists that hoisting the Russian flags amounts to treason.

"We will not relent in pursuing those that have continued to encourage unconstitutional takeover of government or subversion or those ones that are into vandalism or destruction of lives and property," Nigerian Defense Chief General Christopher Musa said.

Thousands in Nigeria took to the streets in Lagos, Abuja and elsewhere last week to denounce President Bola Tinubu's economic policies and government. Security officers cracked down hard on protesters, using tear gas and live ammunition. Amnesty International says at least 13 protesters were killed nationwide.

On Monday, hundreds of protesters marched in northern Kaduna and Kano states, waving Russian flags and calling for Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to their aid. Nigeria's national police said nearly 900 protesters were arrested, including 30 who were carrying Russian flags.

Security analyst Kabiru Adamu criticized the military's interpretation of the protesters' intentions.

"There [are] instances where Nigerians do wave the flags of other countries,” he said. “So, one is a bit surprised with this interpretation. We're in a democratic setting, and the role of security and defense organizations does not go beyond law enforcement or the implementation of security policies. They do not have in any way the role of interpreting or making judicial pronouncements."

The Russian Embassy in Abuja on Monday distanced itself from protesters using the Russian flag and pledged Moscow's support for Nigeria's democracy. But Russia has been expanding its influence in Africa and forming security alliances, especially in the coup-ridden Sahel states.

Adamu, managing director of Beacon Security and Intelligence, said the acts of the protesters might be inspired by a growing resentment for Western influence in the region.

"The policies that are being implemented by the Bola Tinubu government have the backing of Western countries, especially the institutions of [the International Monetary Fund] and World Bank,” he said.

“So, when people in an organic manner endear themselves to Russia, it is perhaps an indication that they're not happy with the policies that were supported by those countries and Russia perhaps may be a better partner or ally."

Western nations, including the United States, have said Russia's influence in Africa could set back democratic norms.

But political affairs analyst Ahmed Buhari said good governance from local authorities is all that is needed.

"These people are not oblivious of the fact that there's a current wave across the Sahel,” he said. “They listen to the news. They can clearly see that Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso [have] presented very young leaders who are coming up with very strong policies that seemingly look like they're going to benefit the people.

“And what I expect from the government of the day is to prove to the people that they're better friends to the people than any foreign ally at a time like this," he said.

By Timothy Obiezu, VOA

Protests in Nigeria fizzle out after deadly police crackdown

Monday, August 5, 2024

Artist in Nigeria transforms e-waste into art

E-waste is a growing problem, and finding uses for redundant electronics has been on the minds of sustainability experts for years. However, in Nigeria, an artist is transforming e-waste into unique art pieces.

CGTN

Video - Nigerians turning waste to wealth

Victims of Nigeria insurgency question efficacy of terrorist deradicalization programs

The programs are designed to rehabilitate and reintroduce former extremists into society. Some terror victims doubt the effectiveness of the program and the sincerity of the insurgents said to be looking to reform their ways. However, security analysts say the de-radicalization programs should continue, as some of the insurgents were forced to join militant sects.

CGTN

Family of killed Nigerian protester demand justice

The family of a 24-year-old tailor, Abubakar Adam Abdullahi, is demanding justice after accusing police of killing him in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna during nationwide protests against the high cost of living.

Local police deny playing any role in his death, and a spokesman for the governor of Kaduna state says they are not aware of any deaths resulting from protests there.

This is contested by rights group Amnesty International - which says three people have been killed in Kaduna alone.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Abubakar's brother Ismail told the BBC the tailor was shot in the chest by police on Thursday before dying in Yusuf Dantsoho hospital.

"All we want is justice for our brother," says Ismail.

Across Nigeria - in the five days since the demonstrations began - police say at least seven people have been killed, 700 have been arrested, and elite officers have arrested one of the protest leaders.

Despite warnings by President Bola Tinubu, thousands of Nigerians joined the protests - worried about the escalating cost of living, and inspired by the success of young Kenyans whose rallies have won key concessions from government.

The protesters included Abubakar. The youngest of 14 children, he was living at his parents' home in Kaduna with big ambitions for his career, and hoping to start a family of his own.

But rising costs kept pushing that future further from his reach, and he decided to join the protests.

"As a tailor, money for the materials he was using had all gone up - food too - and he also has to pay increased rent. Everyone is affected by this economic crisis," says Ismail.

Video footage filmed at the time of Abubakar's death seems to shows him in a group of young men shouting animatedly at police before trying to run away as if being chased.

According to Abubakar's brother, who has spoken to witnesses, they were close to the office of the governor of Kaduna, Uba Sani, at the time. Abubakar then told his friends he was tired and wanted to go home.

Moments later police opened fire on the protesters, witnesses say.

Video footage then shows Abubakar falling to the ground. His friends can be heard shouting "officer stop" and "they shot him" in the Hausa language.

"It was shocking when we got a call to come to the hospital after he was shot because we know he wasn't violent," Ismail tells the BBC.

He cannot comprehend how this could happen to the kind, caring and hard-working brother he knew.

"We later saw videos of him sitting or talking to friends during the protest which also proved he wasn't misbehaving," he adds.

Kaduna state governor spokesman Mohammed Lawal Shehu says the reason why they have not acknowledged any death from the protest is because they are relying on the police - who say they were no deaths.

"According to the police there wasn’t any death from the protests and we rely on them for information."

Amnesty International is calling for an investigation into the deaths of 23 protesters it says have been killed across the country, including three in Kaduna.

Ismail says his family will not rest until they get answers about his brother's death.

"He was in high spirits when he went out with his friends to the protest. He was concerned by the state of things in the country."

Mansur Abubakar, BBC

Protests in Nigeria fizzle out after deadly police crackdown

Protests in Nigeria over the soaring cost of living ebbed on Monday, with only a few hundred people turning out in major cities following a deadly crackdown by security forces since the demonstrations began last week.

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in the capital Abuja, Lagos and other big cities during the protests against economic hardship and crime, which started on Thursday and were meant to continue until Aug. 10.

Amnesty International said at least 13 people have been killed in clashes with police since the start of the protests, which were dubbed "#10DaysOfRage". Police put the death toll at seven, saying some of the fatalities were caused by accidents and an explosive device.

A tough police response and a call for a protest pause by President Bola Tinubu appeared to have dampened the demonstrations, which came weeks after data showed annual inflation hit a 28-year high of 34.19% in June.

In the commercial hub of Lagos, where demonstrations have been largely peaceful, about 100 people gathered at the protest venue singing and chanting "we are hungry". In Abuja, there were no signs of protests at the main stadium where protesters have been gathering since Thursday.

In the north of the country, about 200 protesters were dispersed by armed security forces in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, while in Katsina, security forces fired teargas at protesters who were chanting "hunger and insecurity are killing us".

Curfews have been imposed in parts of the north, which has seen some of the largest and fiercest protests, and in the central state of Plateau.

On Sunday, Tinubu called for an end to violence and said he was always open to dialogue.

Tinubu, in office since May 2023, defended his economic reforms, which have included a partial end to costly petrol and electricity subsidies and devaluation of the naira, as necessary to reverse years of economic mismanagement.

By Seun Sanni, Reuters