Hunger protest: Six ways peaceful protests turn violent – Sani

A former Senator representing the Kaduna Central District in the 8th National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has stated that the shooting of protesters by armed security operatives is capable of turning a peaceful protest violent.

This, among other reasons, was listed by the ex-lawmaker on Sunday, July 28, 2024, in a tweet via his X handle, #ShehuSani.

Sani’s tweet comes in the buildup of an organised protest scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10, 2024 by some Nigerians calling on President Bola Tinubu-led government to ameliorate the hunger crisis in the country, among other national concerns.

In his tweet, Sani wrote, “Six factors that turn a peaceful protest 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..”

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana had urged the Federal Government to listen to the demands of the organisers ahead of the nationwide planned protests while noting that the FG should not threaten the protesters as such could exacerbate the situation.

While featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, Falana said, “How do you identify those who are issuing statements; those who are planning the protest, and then engage with them productively?

“But threats do not work. In fact, on some occasions, the desperation of the government also has a way of popularising such protests.”

Addressing the matter last Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, appealed to Nigerians who plan to stage nationwide hunger protests to shelve the plan as he called on citizens to give his administration enough time to respond to their requests.

“On the issue of the planned protest, Mr. President does not see any need for that. He asked them to shelve that plan and he has asked them to await the government’s response to all their pleas,” Idris said after a closed-door meeting with the president.

There have been concerns from various politicians and groups demanding the protests be held while some others called for a halt.

“Chasing shadows and contriving purported persons behind the planned protests is an exercise in futility when it is obvious that Nigerians, including supporters of Tinubu and the ruling APC, are caught up in the hunger, anger, and hopelessness brought about by the incompetence and cluelessness of this government,” former Vice President and key opposition figure, Atiku Abubakar said on Tuesday in a tweet via his X handle, #atiku.

Also, the New Nigeria People’s Party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, told Sunday PUNCH that going after protesters was a violation of their constitutional right, noting that instead of clamping down on those legitimately exercising their civic rights, efforts should be made to protect them.

However, in response to requests to protest across the country, the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, had set guidelines for all organisers and groups planning to participate.

He specifically directed them to submit their details, proposed routes, and assembly points to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.

Reacting to this on Saturday, Sani tweeted, “The only way a protester can submit his name and address to the police is when he is charmed or ‘jazzed’ by a priest or a native doctor.”