Several times, Nigerians have seen peaceful protests escalate to violence and this is the concern of many about the coming protest.
Former Senator Shehu Sani, from Kaduna Central District, know what could make a peaceful protest turn violent.
Sani believes that armed security forces could change the flow of events if they shoot at protesters.
This can escalate peaceful protest into violence, he says.
Sani shared this warning on July 28, 2024, via his X handle, #ShehuSani, highlighting key factors that can incite violence during protests.
This tweet is relevant, as a nationwide protest is planned from August 1 to 10, 2024, addressing hunger and governance issues under President Bola Tinubu.
From Peaceful To Violent
Now, Sani identified six factors that could turn a peaceful protests into a violent one
1. Armed security forces shooting at protesters with live ammunition.
2. Thugs among the protesters attacking and looting shops, offices, homes and public facilities.
3. Sponsored thugs attacking peaceful protesters.
4. Protesters’ refusal to obey their leaders leading to a loss of control.
5. The clashing of two opposing protest groups.
6. The infiltration of peaceful protesters by others with ulterior motives.
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Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has advised the Federal Government to engage with protest organisers rather than threaten them, which could worsen the situation.
Falana stated on Channels Television that threats were counterproductive and that government desperation might even popularise the protests.
President Bola Tinubu, through Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, asked Nigerians planning hunger protests to delay and wait for the government’s response to their concerns.
Idris mentioned that President Tinubu sees no need for the planned protests and urged citizens to await the government’s response to their pleas.
Politicians and groups are divided on the protests; some urge continuation while others call for a halt, citing widespread hunger and dissatisfaction.
Also, a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, criticised efforts to target protest organisers, emphasising that widespread discontent stems from government failures, as expressed on his X handle, #atiku.
While the government pushes to discourage the people from protesting, cost of living continues to rise, with the apex bank raising interest rate further in its last meeting.
