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Update: EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: SSS, Police shoot at peaceful protesters, Journalists in Abuja

Police in Abuja Habitually Disrupt Peaceful Protests with Tear Gas and Live Ammunition

Operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) and the police used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters and journalists in Abuja.

Masked SSS officials, dressed in black uniforms, arrived in several Toyota Sienna vans and began shooting live rounds at peaceful demonstrators at the MKO Abiola Stadium. Shortly before this, heavily armed police officers stationed at the main entrance of the stadium had fired tear gas at the protesters, leading to harassment and arrests.

Around 12:15 p.m., an SSS official wearing a black mask cocked his rifle and fired at journalists covering the protests. The bullets created pockmarks on the windscreen of one Sienna vehicle and pierced the trunk of another car transporting NIFSGISTS journalists.


THE CHAIN OF EVENTS

At 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, a small group of protesters gathered at the stadium's main entrance. Heavily armed police officers and Army personnel were stationed around the area. Deputy Commissioner of Police, FCT, Ishyaku Shuaibu, addressed journalists, stating their presence was to ensure the protest remained peaceful. However, shortly after he left, police began firing tear gas at the protesters, who had formed a circle with placards, causing chaos and dispersing the crowd and journalists.

NIFSGISTS correspondents observed police officers firing tear gas directly at the fleeing protesters and harassing and arresting some individuals caught in the smoky atmosphere.

Around 12:15 p.m., additional police vans and seven unmarked Toyota Sienna vehicles carrying masked, heavily armed SSS officers arrived. The masked men dispersed in different directions, with one SSS official shouting at journalists to leave while pointing his rifle. He then loaded his rifle and fired at journalists, causing further chaos.


Several security officials pursued the protesters and journalists. NIFSGISTS reported similar incidents of tear gas use on Thursday and Friday. Despite these disruptions, the protesters regrouped each time, determined to continue their 10 days of rage demonstrations.

A female protester collapsed after police fired tear gas on Friday. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) condemned the attack on journalists and urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate and report back within 10 days. The brutal dispersal on Saturday occurred less than 24 hours after the Nigerian National Committee of International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) warned against attacking reporters covering the protests.


The protests on Saturday marked the third day of the #10daysofrage demonstration, with demands for the reintroduction of petrol subsidies and reduction in public officials' salaries and allowances.
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