Human rights lawyer berates security agents for provoking peaceful protesters

Human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has condemned security agents for “provoking” peaceful #EndBadGovernance protesters across the country.

Adegboruwa cautioned that confrontation by security agents could escalate the protests and urged them to maintain professionalism.

The lawyer commended the courage of Nigerians who participated in the demonstrations, despite facing threats, intimidation, and harassment from authorities.

Adegboruwa highlighted the protesters’ grievances, including suffering, hunger, and poverty, which they attribute to the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The protest is part of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance movement, with The Take It Back Movement being one of the organizers.

Te human rights lawyer appealed to security and law enforcement agencies to follow acceptable standards in handling civil protests, avoiding bloodshed or loss of lives.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) called on the government to identify and hold accountable any police or law enforcement officer found culpable in violating the rights of peaceful protesters, while urging protest organizers to remain peaceful and refrain from actions that may lead to violence or a breakdown of law and order.

Adegboruwa emphasized that the federal and state governments should establish mechanisms for genuine and meaningful dialogue with protesters to address their demands, warning that remaining silent and pretending all is well would be a height of leadership insensitivity.

The nationwide protests, propagated on social media, started on Thursday, August 1, and are scheduled to continue until August 10, across all states of the Federation and the nation’s capital, Abuja.

The protests were sparked by the government’s policies, including the removal of petrol subsidies and unification of forex windows, which have led to soaring prices of food and basic commodities, exacerbating Nigeria’s worst inflation rates and economic crises.

The police, military, and Department of State Services had warned against Kenya-styled protests, fearing a repeat of the #EndSARS demonstrations of October 2020.

Politicians have appealed to youths to shelve the planned rallies, but the young people have remained unfazed, determined to press for change.