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Tag: protest

  • #Freennamdikanu: Schools, Banks, Markets Shut As S/E Residents Observe Protest At Home

    #Freennamdikanu: Schools, Banks, Markets Shut As S/E Residents Observe Protest At Home

    Residents of Southeast zone comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states on Monday, October 20, 2025, observed total lockdown following the call by Human Rights activist, Omoyele Sowore for protest against continued detention of leader Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu by the Directorate of State Service, DSS.

    WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that private and public schools, banks, markets, institutions and other public and private businesses were shut down for fear of attacks by the enforcers of the popular sit-at-home order.

    Our reporter who monitored the incident gathered that in Enugu state, some public schools who were supposed to take their midterm test for their midterm break slated to start next two weeks were conspicuously absent from their respective schools as all the schools were under lock and key.

    Popular Ariara International market Aba shut down for the protest

    At Nsukka High school, Nsukka Enugu state, some teachers were seen inside the school premises, but few students came to school. Those who were in the school were boarding students. All the day students stayed away from the school as teachers who came at about 9am were complaining of not being able to see means of transportation on time.

    One of the teachers who spoke to our reporter under anonymity explained that “I came from Nru side. It took me about one hour before I could see any motorbike. Even the cyclist I saw was afraid to bring me here. I had to pay as much as one thousand naira before he could agree to bring me here. This is what we paid five hundred naira before. If not that I don’t want problem with the state government and school management, I would have stayed in my house so as to avoid any safety issue.”

    Along Enugu Road, Nsukka all the banks in the area were under lock and key. Also, the popular Ogige Main market Nsukka was also locked. Some of the shop owners at building materials market Nsukka who usually come on Mondays to see if they could get any customer were seen by our reporter who was there at about 10am today.

    In the same vein, all the streets were also deserted in both Nsukka and Enugu metropolis of Enugu state.

    The popular Peace Mass Transit parks at both Enugu and Nsukka were also shut down, like wise other motor parks.

    In Anambra state, the story was the same. At Upper Iweka road, Onitsha, all the roadside vendors and businessmen stayed away from their business premises.

    In a telephone chat with our reporter, one of the businessmen who deals on phone accessories at Upper Iweka road, told WITHIN NIGERIA that “I didn’t come out today. I couldn’t stake my neck because of one day event. You know election is fast approaching in Anambra state and they may use that opportunity to shed some innocent.”

    Asked if he joined in any protest, our source revealed that, “there is no protesters here in Awada where we live. I wouldn’t have even joined them if there was any. I don’t want to be a victim of any brutality in the name of protesting for this country or for anybody at all. I know I don’t like what they are doing to Nnamdi Kanu by detaining him since 2021, but I will not come out to protest for his release because Nigerian police is not friendly at.”

    A deserted street in Enugu on Monday

    At Port Harcourt Road, Aba, Abia state, all the banks in the area were under lock and key. The popular Ariara international market, Aba was also shut down in observance for the #freennamdikanu protest.

    In a telephone interview with our reporter, Christian Ugbodiegwu said that “here in Aba, everywhere is totally locked down. No movement. No market. No business. We want to use today to protest for the release of Nnamdi Kanu who has been in detention illegally for the past four years now. We don’t want to come out to protest but our civil disobedience will surely tell the federal government that we are not happy with what is happening in this country right now.”

    In Ebonyi and Imo states, the story was still the same as shops, markets and streets were deserted to observe the protest happening in both Abuja and Lagos.

    WITHIN NIGERIA reporter observed that though there was no visible protest in the southeast zone for the #freennamdikanu, all the residents were in their respective houses, keeping their ears on the ground.

    One of the members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB who spoke to our reporter, Mr. James Onah said that “there is no need for us to come in the streets to protests. Our civil disobedience today, October 20,2025 is enough to tell both local, state and federal government that we are not happy with what they are doing with our leader, Nnamdi Kanu.”

    Another deserted street in Southeast on Monday

    According to Mr. Onah, “this is a man whom the Supreme court of Nigeria has discharged and acquitted in the last two years now because he was not found guilty of any charge against him. But he is still languishing in DSS custody. He was innocent of all the charges against him, but the federal government has refused to set him free. This is very unacceptable.

    Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB leader

    “We don’t want to come out because they may end up using their thugs to destroy property and turn out to say that MASSOB is responsible for the destruction.  So, we the members of MASSOB is solidly behind what is happening in Abuja and Lagos as far as #freennamdikanu protest. Our civil disobedience which includes, closing our shops, deserting our streets, not going to work today is still part of the protest against continued illegal detention of Nnamdi Kanu.”

  • October 20 Protest: No Going Back To Liberate Nnamdi Kanu—MASSOB/BIM

    October 20 Protest: No Going Back To Liberate Nnamdi Kanu—MASSOB/BIM

    Ahead of October 20, 2025 protest for the release of detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, the Movement for the Actualization Of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB and Biafra Independence Movement, BIM has said that no amount of threat can deter them from the planned protest.

    The group made this known in a chat with our reporter in Enugu, stressing that all is now set for the planned nationwide protest.

    Fidelis Kenneth: No going back in the protest

    The national Director for Transport of the group, Mr. Fidelis Kenneth told WITHIN NIGERIA that , “the call for mass protest for unconditional release of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has become necessary so as to show the federal government of Nigeria that we are not happy the way they are treating our innocent leader.

    “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention for over four years despite the fact that the highest court in Nigeria gave the judgment that he is innocent of the charges against him.”

    Mr. Kenneth urged all the youths, well-meaning Nigerians to come out en masse on October 20 to demand the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu who has been for close to half a decade.

    Recall that on June 27, 2021, the federal government of Nigeria arrested the secessionist leader in Kenya. He was later charged to court over terrorism charges. After much legal battles, he was found not guilty of all the charges against him and subsequently discharged and acquitted.

    Few days ago, human rights activist and former presidential candidate, African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore slated October 20 as the date for a protest march to demand the unconditional release of the leader of the proscribed IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

    Sowore made this known on his X handle on Thursday where he wrote that“historic” march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, while assuring that it would be conducted peacefully and legally to demand the release of the IPOB leader.

    Sowore: Plans to lead the protest

    According to him “We now have a date for the historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. It is October 20 at 7 am.”

    Few days later, Sowore urged all South-East governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to join the demonstration.

    “No more empty noise. Let @CCSoludo, @SenatorAbaribe, @alexottiofr, @PeterObi, and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person.

    “Every governor, senator, member of the House, traditional ruler, priest, eze, Igbo person, and every Nigerian who believes in Kanu’s freedom should come out and do more than talk,” he added.

    He also emphasised that he had reached out to other prominent Igbo leaders, including Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti; and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to join the protest.

    “I have tried reaching out personally to Dr. @alexottiofr, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo @CCSoludo, and Mr @PeterObi (through his team) today. Alex Otti and Soludo neither took my calls nor responded to my messages. They promised to tell Mr. @PeterObi about our plans, although he is currently travelling. I also reached out to Alhaji @AtikuAbubakar through his team, while Senator @SenatorAbaribe said he would return my call. I spoke with Obinna Agwuocha of the House of Representatives. He was receptive and encouraging.

    “The Abia State House of Assembly members informed me that they plan to travel to London next week and then return directly to Abuja for further action. They mentioned they intend to visit the Attorney General of the Federation first to lodge a complaint; they didn’t anticipate a “placard” protest. I told them, that’s fine; what matters most is that we agree on a unified date for action.

    Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB leader

    “This is not the time for hesitation. If we genuinely believe that @MaziNnamdiKanu deserves freedom, then every leader of conscience must act, now, not later,” Sowore reiterated.

    In October 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted him of all charges, ruling that his extradition to Nigeria violated international laws.

  • Protest Hits Enugu Community Over Police Brutality, Killing Of Resident

    Protest Hits Enugu Community Over Police Brutality, Killing Of Resident

    • Enugu community accuses police of brutality, killing of one of their indigenes in their custody
    • Youths take to the streets, demanding justice for the slain indigene
    • Enugu state police command denies the allegation, says the deceased was never detained

    Less than one week after the alleged killing of one of the indigenes of Umuezejor,  Obollo-Afor, Udenu local government area of Enugu state, youths in the community have taken to the streets, demanding justice for the deceased.

    However, earlier on in the week, the community has petitioned the Enugu state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah and Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun over the ugly incident, while seeking justice for the deceased.

    The community under the aegis of Obollo-Afor Youths Organization with its headquarters in Obollo-Afor, appealed to the state governor and IGP to conduct an independent investigation into the alleged murder of one of their own, Mr. Nnaemeka Ugwu who was detained in police cell by the Nsukka Urban Police Divisional headquarters.

    Late Mr. Nnaemeka Ugwu: Died in police custody?

    The petition entitled “A Tale of Tragedy and Injustice that happened in Obollo-Afor”, and made available to WITHIN NIGERIA, the group expressed their displeasure over the handling of the matter by the Enugu state police command.

    “We express our rage over the use of brutal force and inhuman treatment meted on Mr. Nnaemeka Ugwu from Umuezejor Obollo Afor by a cruel police officer attached to Nsukka Area Command that led to his death.

    “The disturbing incident started on 6th of February 2025 which has sent shocking wave in Obollo-Afor. It is equally a stark reminder of the dangers of police brutality and the urgent need for Police Reform.”

    Tracing the origin of the incident the community explained that “on 6th February,  Mr. Nnaemeka Ugwu and many others were harassed and arrested by a police officer who accused a Patent Medical Store owner of selling illicit drugs after the police officer (Inspector Dumiri) and some team of other policemen stormed their business premises located at New Makurdi Road Obollo-Afor .

    “The victim, who was known to his family and friends as a law-abiding citizen was taken into custody and never returned home. Tragically he developed complications at the detention as a result of injuries sustained from the excessive force used by the police officer during interrogation which resulted in him collapsing.

    “Immediately he collapsed he was rushed to Shanahan hospital but on getting there he was confirmed dead sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.

    “The circumstances surrounding the victim’s death are deeply troubling. Eyewitness from one Mr.  Onyekachi Thaddeus whose wife was equally arrested alongside the deceased and 4 other people reported that the police officer applied excessive force during the arrest and interrogation resulting to the victim sustaining physical injuries all in a bid for him to write a false statement while in custody.

    “The fact that the victims were accused of a crime without any evidence, and that one of them died under suspicious circumstances raises serious questions about police misconduct and impunity in Nsukka Area Command.

    “This incident is not an isolated one. It is part of a larger pattern of police brutality and abuse of power that has claimed countless lives and destroyed families. It is a stark reminder that the community is not safe from those Police men who are sworn to protect and serve them.

    “We demand justice for the victim and his family. We demand that the police officer alleged to be responsible for his death be held accountable and brought to justice. We demand that the police department take immediate action to address the systemic issues that led to this tragedy and launch a proper and unbiased investigation.

    “We will not be silenced. We will not be intimidated. We will continue to speak out against police brutality and demand justice for all victims of police abuse and work tirelessly to create a society where everyone can live without fear of harassment, arrest, or any form of extra judicial killings.”

    NYCN petitions state government, IGP

    However, when the petition seemed to have fallen on deaf ears of both the police and the state government, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Enugu North zone issued a statement, condemning the incident and calling for justice on the deceased.

    Protesting youths in Obollo-Afor

    In a press release signed by the Vice-Chairman of the state chapter of the council, Eze Kenneth Nnamdi, and made available to WITHIN NIGERIA,  it expressed its displeasure over the circumstances leading to the death of the deceased.

    “NYCN Enugu North Condemns in Totality Police Team led by Asp Uwah Dumbiri ( Dumiri)  Illegal Arrest and Harassment Against Patent Medical Store Owners at Obollo Afor that led to the Death of Mr Nnaemeka Ugwuona .

    “National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the Mother youth organization in Enugu State and Apex Youth organization in Enugu North (Nsukka), condemns the illegal cum harassment activities of police Operatives from Area Command Nsukka led by Uwah Dumbiri known as Dumiri that led to the death of Mr Nnaemeka ugwuona from umuezejor Obollo Afor, in Udenu Local government, Enugu State.

    “On 6th February, 2025, Asp Uwah Dumbiri known as Dumiri led a police team from Nsukka area command to Obollo Afor which is outside their Jurisdiction, but Under Udenu area  command to harass and arrest innocent patent Medical store owners of selling  illicit drugs, which after there thorough searching they got nothing but still insist on detaining them to extort money from them under Nsukka area command.

    “Dumiri led  team came with a masked person that was pointing out Chemist Shops at Obollo Afor, Makurdi road.  the police Operatives were arresting them without having evidence of selling any illicit drugs.

    “Late Mr Nnaemeka Ugwuona collapse and died while watching the police Operatives  beating his wife to accept that she is selling illicit drugs and to sign written statements by the police Operatives with his name.

    “It is Condemnable, unacceptable, and must never be condoned. We call on the Inspector General of police and Commissioner of Police to urgently intervene and control the situation now.”

    On Monday, February 10, 2025, the youths numbering about fifty took to the streets in protest, demanding the prosecution of the alleged police officer who they said masterminded the arrest and eventual murder of the deceased.

    The protest which took place along Old Markurdi road, Obollo-afor and ended at Obollo-Afor police divisional headquarters lasted for about three hours as placards carrying youths demanded the arrest of the suspects.

    Police reaction to the incident

    On Monday night, the Enugu state police command issued a statement denying its involvement in the death of Mr. Ugwu.

    In a release by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Daniel Ndukwe, the Command entitled  “ENUGU COMMAND DEBUNKS ALLEGATIONS OF HARASSMENT, ARREST, DETENTION, TORTURE, AND DEATH OF A PATENT MEDICINE DEALER IN POLICE CUSTODY”, reads thus;

    “The Enugu State Police is informing the public that the viral media report alleging that a patent medicine dealer, Mr. Nnaemeka Ugwu of Umuezejor, Obollo-Afor in Udenu LGA, was arrested, harassed, detained, and died in police custody is false and intended to mislead the public. The Command unequivocally states that Mr. Nnaemeka was never arrested, nor was he harassed, tortured, or killed in police custody, as alleged.

    “Contrary to these allegations, operatives attached to the Nsukka Area Command, in synergy with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, initially arrested one Jerry Uche (male, aged 27) for alleged armed robbery and the snatching and sale of stolen motorcycles. Further investigations led to the arrest of three more male suspects: Emenike Ezugwu (alias “Eternal,” aged 28), Omeje Chidera (alias “Dakpor,” aged 27), and Omeje Obinna (alias “Obaino,” aged 37).

    “During the operations, police recovered three locally made pistols, including a revolver, two live cartridges, three motorcycles allegedly snatched from victims, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, and plastic-piped bottles used for consuming methamphetamine (locally known as “Mkpụrụ Mmiri”). Following their confessions, one of the suspects led operatives to Obollo-Afor, Udenu LGA, where individuals suspected of receiving stolen motorcycles were apprehended on February 6, 2025.

    “Consequently, one Uroko Ifeanyi Moses (alias “Sim-Card”, aged 28) was identified and arrested. He confessed to the crime and led the operatives to recover two of the stolen motorcycles in Obollo-Afor. Other suspects were also arrested, including Mr. Nnaemeka’s wife, Ngozi Nnaemeka, in connection with the case.

    Dr. Peter Mbah: Enugu state governor

    “On February 7, 2025, Mr. Nnaemeka, accompanied by one Hon. Onyemaechi, visited the Area Command Headquarters to secure his wife’s release. During the visit, Mr. Nnaemeka suddenly collapsed. He was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment but was later confirmed dead by the attending doctor. His remains have been deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

    “The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, psc (+), has sympathised with the family and relatives of the deceased. He has also directed the Deputy Commissioner in charge of the State CID to conduct a discreet investigation to establish the circumstances of Mr. Nnaemeka’s sudden collapse and death. He urges community members, including the youth, to cooperate with the police, maintain peace, and use appropriate channels to express their concerns.”

  • Nationwide Protest, LGBTQ+, NLC Invasion: Events Shaping August

    Nationwide Protest, LGBTQ+, NLC Invasion: Events Shaping August

    The month of August has seen a series of significant events in Nigeria. From a 10-day nationwide protest to an attack on the LGBTQ+ community, and the NLC invasion, these events are shaping the country’s democracy and public perception of government institutions.

    August 1st Protest

    On August 1st, Nigerians across different states protested against the high cost of living, hunger, high levels of unemployment, and limited access to quality education, among other concerns. The protest, under the hashtag #EndBadGovernance, saw Nigerians take to the streets to express their grievances, which led to the deaths of 22 people, according to Amnesty International’s Nigeria office. Additionally, at least 31 journalists were attacked while covering the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, according to the Press Attack Tracker (PAT).

    august protest in Nigeria
    End Bad Governance protesters in Nigeria.

    The demands of the protesters include scrapping the 1999 constitution, abolishing the Senate arm of the Nigerian Legislative System, paying Nigerian workers a minimum wage of no less than N250,000 monthly, investing heavily in education, and providing Nigerian students with grants, not loans. They also demanded the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the demilitarization of the South East.

    Other demands include the renationalization of publicly owned enterprises sold to government officials, the reinstatement of a corruption-free subsidy regime to reduce hunger, starvation, and multidimensional poverty, the probing of past and present Nigerian leaders who have looted the treasury, the recovery of their loot, and the deposit of it in a special account to fund education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Additionally, they called for the restructuring of Nigeria to accommodate its diversity, resource control, decentralization, regional development, and the reform of security agencies to stop continuous human rights violations, as well as the duplication of security agencies to enhance the physical security of Nigerian citizens.

    The protesters are also demanding the establishment of a Special Energy Fund to drive massive, corruption-free power sector development, the immediate reconstitution of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove corrupt individuals and partisan hacks appointed to manipulate elections, massive investment in public works and industrialization to employ Nigeria’s teeming youths, and a massive shake-up in the Nigerian judiciary to remove cabals of corrupt judges and judicial officers who continue to deny everyday citizens access to real justice.

    Attack On The LGBTQ+ Community

    On August 9th, Nigerians woke up to the news of the murder of a popular Abuja-based crossdresser, known as Area Mama. His body was found dumped by the roadside in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the previous day.

    Abuja Area Mama, a Nigerian crossdresser.

    The FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, ordered an immediate investigation into his murder. According to a statement released by the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the police are investigating the matter and gathering additional information.

    “In response to a distress call received by the Command Control Room that an unidentified lady was seen lying motionless along Katampe – Mabushi Expressway, a team of detectives was immediately dispatched to the scene.

    “Preliminary investigations revealed that the individual was a man fully dressed in female clothing with no means of identification on him. He was immediately taken to Maitama District Hospital where doctors on duty confirmed him dead.

    “The Commissioner of Police, FCT, has promptly ordered a thorough and discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death. Updates on this matter will be communicated in due course,” she said.

    This incident occurred three days after Lagos-based popular crossdresser Bobrisky regained his freedom after serving a jail term for mutilating the Naira.

    NLC Invasion

    On August 8th, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) confirmed that its national office in Abuja was invaded by security operatives, believed to be from the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, on the night of August 7th.

    According to a statement by NLC spokesperson Benson Upah, the operatives arrested the security guards and forced them to hand over keys to the offices on the second floor. The operatives then broke into the floor, ransacked the bookshop, and stole hundreds of books and publications.

    A day later, the Nigeria Police clarified that it did not raid the secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The NPF, through its spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, said a suspected criminal was traced to a shop in the Central Business District of Abuja, which coincidentally was in the NLC building.

    “Detectives, armed with the appropriate legal authority, conducted an operation at the location, which turned out to be the NLC building,” he said.

    The NLC has since demanded an apology from the federal government and the police authorities, describing the invasion as a deliberate and provocative government action. The labor union said the police’s explanation was “an afterthought and an attempt to cover the hidden motives behind such action as it raises more questions than answers.”

    In a communiqué signed by the NLC president, Joe Ajaero, he stated that while the union would exercise restraint in the face of provocation, “the response of the government to our queries will determine our next line of action in the coming days.”

  • Controversies Trail August Nationwide cost-of-living Protests

    Controversies Trail August Nationwide cost-of-living Protests

    Nigerians are gearing up for the August 1st nationwide protest. The protest is scheduled to be held from August 1st to 10th, with Nigerians, especially the youths, taking to the streets across the 36 states in the country to protest hunger and hardship and draw the federal and state government’s attention to the worsening plight of the citizens.

    Within Nigeria has observed several economic challenges resulting in hardship since Tinubu assumed power. From the removal of fuel subsidies to Nigeria’s inflation rate, which continues to rise, reaching 34.19%, up from 33.95% in June and 33.69% in May​. This has been associated with increased hunger and high cost of living.

    However, as August 1st approaches, president Tinubu has warned Nigerian youths not to join the nationwide cost-of-living protests saying they are the work of “sinister” people “capitalizing” on the country’s economic woes.

    According to him, “Capitalising on the economic hardship in the country, some men and women with sinister motives have been reported to have been mobilizing citizens, particularly youths, to stage a protest”.

    A Show Of Force

    The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, warned against going ahead with the nationwide cost-of-living protests, saying that it is “ill-advised and should be jettisoned.”

    He expressed concern over the possibility of a Kenya-led protest replica happening in August and said that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will not sit back and watch hoodlums destroy things across the country. He added that he has deployed officers and men of the Force to ensure the protection of life and property.

    While noting that the Nigeria Police Force will continue to accord Nigerians the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in the 1999 constitution (as amended), the IGP said the police were prepared for the protest and will respond most professionally.

    However, human rights lawyer Femi Falana has warned the Federal Government against threatening the organisers of the planned nationwide protest. He cautioned the FG that taking the path of threatening protesters will further exacerbate the situation, calling the government to approach organisers with diplomacy.

    “So, this time around the government should try to identify the leaders of the movement and then engage them, and then the questions be raised. There are demands that are being made, and the government should address these demands.

    “Between now and August 1 is still a long way and I understand the government is going to address the nation. It is also important for governors to come out and let the people know what they are doing to address hardship in the country which nobody is denying,” he said While featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress also warned the FG against engaging in a “war-war” situation with Nigerians by trying to suppress citizens’ fundamental right to protest, adding that Nigerians have the right to complain. 

    Popular Nigerians Support Protests

    As the nationwide protest keeps gaining traction in the North and other parts of the country, several Nigerians have thrown their weight in support of the protest. One of which is the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, who has been campaigning for the August protest via his social media handles.

    Sowore, who had led several protests in the country, said revolution would start in August, insisting that “Nothing Can Stop An Idea Whose Time Has Come” #RevolutionNOW.”

    Sowore wrote: “The REVOLUTION is now knocking on our doors! #RevolutionNow. Let everyone rise all once in August 2024!

    “Nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. They asked for a revolution and It is here now! @officialABAT once asked for a revolution, even @MBuhari once asked for a revolution and Nigerians now want a real revolution.

    “Nothing Can Stop An Idea Whose Time Has Come” #RevolutionNOW.”

    Veteran Nigerian music star, Chalse Oputa, known by his stage name, Charly Boy also expressed support for the protest. Charly Boywho spoke with DAILY POST, said he believes that the Nigerian youths possess the ability to retrieve their country from the wrong hands.

    FG Fingers Peter Obi, LP

    Reacting to the different calls for the protest, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, July 20, said the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, should be held responsible for his supporters’ alleged plans to cause mayhem in the country.

    He noted that the “protest planners are also the same people who were instigated by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to launch the destructive ENDSARS protest in Nigeria in October 2020. ENDSARS began as a genuine protest by youths against the Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad, notorious for its high-handedness. 

    “IPOB members planning to extricate the South-East region from Nigeria infiltrated the protest and hijacked it for their own agenda. Lagos still bears the scar of the malicious destruction by IPOB elements until today.”

    According to him, the IPOB and Obi’s supporters are the people spreading the hashtags ‘EndBadGovernance’, ‘Tinubu Must Go,’ and ‘Revolution2024’. 

    He further described them as anarchists and not democrats, noting that they were attempting to call out their people via propaganda due to Obi’s failure to win the presidency in the 2023 election. Am allegation the Labour Party has refuted.

    According to the LP through its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, it was wrong of Onanuga to link the LP and its national leader to the proposed ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest.  

    Obiora said, “We say there is no truth in the tweet. It is just the figment of the author’s imagination. Labour Party is known for being a very peaceful party, and it has on several occasions asked its followers to follow peace at all times. We are not known as a lawless group, as was evident in the aftermath of the last general election. It is therefore delusional for anyone to link our supporters to the planned protest. Labour Party, Peter Obi, and our supporters are not planning any protests.

    “It is therefore puerile for the government or anyone, for that matter, to begin to look for whom to blame for the bad governance witnessed in Nigeria today. Nigeria can still get it right if the right policies are initiated. We also advise that some aides of the Presidency must be cautioned to avoid incendiary pronouncements capable of combusting the nation, all in the name of playing politics.”

    Scary Data

    An international human rights organisation,  Global Rights, in a report released in January 2024, said the administration of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, was characterised by threats or intimidation of journalists and protesters.

    The report revealed that no fewer than 69 protesters were killed during the Buhari-led administration and also estimated that 250 protesters and 189 journalists were arrested, detained, or harassed under the former president.

  • Day of rage, anger as ASUU-UNN protests FG’s inability to implement agreements

    Day of rage, anger as ASUU-UNN protests FG’s inability to implement agreements

    • ASUU-UNN members protest FG’s inability to honour agreement
    • They accuse FG of insincerity, consider going on industrial action
    • UNN Deputy VC , Academics, Prof. Johnson Urama commends ASUU, urging the National body to continue to negotiate with FG

    The Academic Staff Union of  Universities, University of Nigeria Nsukka (ASUU-UNN), on Thursday, staged a peaceful protest to bring the attention of the Nigerian public, to the inability of President Bola Tinubu-led Government to implement agreements it reached with the union.

    The union warned of impending industrial unrest if the federal government refused to act on all their demands after the expiration of their 21-day ultimatum.

    It will be recalled that ASUU had charged the government to act within three weeks to address all their outstanding demands bothering on the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement, poor funding of the universities, breach of university autonomy, particularly by the Integrated Personal Payment Information System (IPPIS), non-payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), among others, or they will embark on a nationwide strike.

    Protesting UNN-ASUU members

    The ASUU members marched from the university’s Faculty of Social Sciences, through the Faculty of Education to the university’s Main Gate, back to the administration building, singing solidarity songs as well as bored placards with several inscriptions such as;

    “Kill Education, kill the Nation,” “Nigeria lecturers are the least paid globally,” Government should honour the agreement with ASUU: It is a moral question,” Government stop forcing ASUU to embark on strike,” Government don’t kill university education in Nigeria,” No pay, no work,” among others.

    Addressing newsmen shortly after the protest, Comrade Oyibo Eze, Chairman of ASUU-UNN, said that the union was ready to embark on an indefinite strike if the federal government fails to honour their signed agreements.

    “Today, we are compelled to call the attention of Nigerians and the government to the challenges that have been hindering the progress and development of public universities in the country.

    “It is important to state that the federal government has not attended to all the issues that had always forced our union to embark on strike despite our several appeals and agitations.

    “ASUU-UNN have unanimously agreed to go back to the trenches if FG fails to hearken to the voice of reason,” he said.

    Speaking further, Eze commended the union members for turning out en mass and speaking in one voice.

    “I thank you all for speaking in one voice to support a nationwide strike at the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum.

    “It’s unfortunate that all the agreements the Federal Government signed with ASUU since 2009 have not been implemented, he said

    He noted that the protest was not against UNN management but against the Federal Government which had failed to implement agreements reached with ASUU since 2009.

    Protesting UNN-ASUU members

    “This protest March is to create awareness and urged Nigerians to prevail on government to do the needful before the expiration of the 21 days ultimatum, “he said.

    While receiving the protest letter from Comrade Eze on behalf of the university management, Prof. Johnson Urama, the UNN Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, commended the protesting ASUU members for peacefully conducting themselves.

    “I commend your maturity and most especially the way you all conducted yourself peacefully during the protest, as well as your various interventions that had gone a long in improving infrastructures in public universities.

    “What you are doing today is in order. The university management understands the reason for your demands and agitations.

    “Your struggles are part of the reason why public universities are still afloat,   however, I urge ASUU national leadership to continue their negotiation with the Federal Government for a lasting solution,” he said.

    WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the Union is currently considering the option of going into another industrial action should the Federal government renege in their agreement.

  • Nimbo Massacre: 8 years after, Protest rocks Enugu community over govt planned RUGA establishment

    Nimbo Massacre: 8 years after, Protest rocks Enugu community over govt planned RUGA establishment

    • Fulani herdsmen allegedly invaded Nimbo, Enugu state on April 15, 2016, killings scores over grazing land
    • 8 years after protest rocks community as state govt allegedly planned to establish RUGA in the area
    • State government confirms the report, says it will be controlled by its agencies

    In the early hours of April 26, 2016, Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state was invaded by tens of Fulani herdsmen.

    At the end of the invasion which was later termed as Nimbo massacre, more than a dozen persons were killed.

    Nimbo is a border town in Uzo-Uwani area of Enugu state where seven villages- Ekwuru, Nimbo-Ngwoko, Ugwuijoro, Ebor, Enugu-Nimbo, Umuome and Ugwuachara were invaded, and scores massacred by over 500 armed Fulani herdsmen rated the fourth deadliest terror group in the world,in the early hours of April 25, 2016.

    In any case, Uzo-Uwani has boundaries with the Southern States of Ebonyi and Anambra and Central States of Benue and Kogi, where these attacks have increased lately.

    Protesting Nimbo community dwellers

    WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the herdsmen, who reportedly were bent on occupying a portion of the farming community’s land for cattle grazing plotted attack, and went on to notify the natives about their invasion on April 23, 2016.

    The intelligence was promptly reported to security agencies who met accordingly. However, at about 5.15 am on April 25, 2016, the armed herdsmen numbering over 500 struck killing 40 people.

    The following day, April 26, 2016, six more bodies were recovered and 14 victims were lying critically ill at Royal Cross Hospital, Nsukka, District General Hospital and Bishop Shanahan Hospital, Nsukka.

    Our reporter equally learnt that during the raid, a church, known as Christ Holy Church International (AKA Odozi-Obodo), at Onu-Eke, and 11 houses were burnt by the marauders.

    As a result of the insecurity, displaced natives fled to neighboring communities of Nkpologu and Uvuru,  even as indigenes of those communities also fled to Nsukka in fear of further attacks.

    Compromised Security

    According to the then Enugu state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the terrorism at Nimbo may have happened due to inability of security agencies to successfully act on the counter intelligence report about herdsmen grouping at neighbouring Odolu in Kogi state in preparation for attack.

    Igbo social cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo whilst expressing disappointment at the seemingly security lapses which led to the terror attack and likelihood of another attack, asked the government to carry out thorough investigation to bring those responsible to justice and forestall further occurrences.

    The body also said “Imeobi views with grave concern and unequivocally, condemns the recent slaughter by Fulani herdsmen of our defenceless kith and kin in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.”

    Government’s  Alleged Plan To Establish Cattle Ranch For Herders, Nearly 8 Years After Massacre

    In any case, it is almost eight years after the infamous Nimbo Massacre that shook the entire South East in 2016.

    However, when WITHIN NIGERIA reporter visited the community, there was no visibly presence of security agents in the area to wade off possible attack s by Fulani herdsmen.

    Our reporter gathered that aside the presence local security outfit popularly known as Neighbourhood Watch at Eke Nimbo market square, the community is currently at the mercy of Fulani herdsmen.

    Fulani herdsmen: Allegedly invaded the community

    Army personnel who were at the area some months ago have been tactically withdrawn by the Nigerian Army.

    WITHIN NIGERIA also gathered that some vandalized churches like Odoziobodo have been reconstructed and refurbished.

    In a nutshell, the community has gradually returned its pre-massacre era except for flashes of security challenges in the area every now and then in recent times.

    In any case, on February 9, ,hundreds of community dwellers staged a peaceful protest against the state government’s alleged  plan to establish a cattle ranch for herdsmen in their community.

    WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that among the protesters were people widowed or orphaned by the killing of 40 residents of the community by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen on April 26, 2016, during the invidious massacre.

    Our reporter gathered that the community held the protest on Tuesday along the Nsukka – Uzo-Uwani – Anambra Federal Highway, blocking the road and calling on the government to shelve the planned RUGA establishment.

    The residents were wielding placards with several inscriptions like, “Nimbo doesn’t want cattle, doesn’t want ranching.” ‘Nimbo Community Says No To Cattle Ranch In Their Land QED.’

    One of the residents of the community, Joseph Ogbobe  told WITHIN NIGERIA o that protests in Nimbo followed an alleged plan by the state government to establish a ranch where the town shares a border with Kogi State.

    According to Mr. Ogbobe, “The plan followed a government inspection team to the area, nearly eight years after the April 25, 2016 Nimbo Massacre, during which armed Fulani herders murdered 40 indigenes of our town.

    “The incident followed farmer-herder clashes in the general area where the RUGA (Rural Grazing Areas) settlement is allegedly being planned to be sited. We can never allow such things to happen in our community.”

    Narrating further, Mr. Ogbobe told our reporter that “ after this protest, the youths are also planning to engage in further security checks and inspection in the community. If we notice any security issue, we will deal with it immediately. We expected government to establish schools, hospitals and other developmental projects but what we hear now is a different thing altogether. We cant accept such a thing like RUGA or ranching in our community.”

    WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that RUGA is an initiative of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to address the herders-farmers’ clashes in the country but it was rejected in most of the southern states.

    Efforts to speak with the President General of Nimbo Town Union, Clement Akogwu, were unsuccessful.

    Enugu state government reaction to the protest

    But reacting to the development, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on mainstream media, Dan Nwomeh, insisted that there was no such RUGA plan by the State Government, adding that ranching would end the intractable crisis between herders and farmers.

    He however stated that there is a proposal to establish government owned and controlled ranches in local government areas where cases of farmers/herders crisis were rampant.

    Gov. Mbah: We are yet to reach conclusion on RUGA establishment

    According to Nwomeh, “there’s no such RUGA plan please. There’s a state government initiative, a proposal really, to establish government owned and controlled ranches in local governments with the worst cases of herders/farmers clashes such as Uzo Uwani, Isi Uzo and Oji River.

    “The locations are still being considered. Government will seek the buy-in of the host communities. No government team has visited any proposed site.

    “The ranches will be open to all commercial cattle rearers and not just an ethnic group. Ranching is the global best practice that will end open grazing and clashes with farmers”.

  • March 10: Today in Nigeria history, over 1000 activists staged a march in Abuja, demanding for public appearance of ailing ex-President Musa Yar’Adua

    March 10: Today in Nigeria history, over 1000 activists staged a march in Abuja, demanding for public appearance of ailing ex-President Musa Yar’Adua

    • Over 1000 activists staged a march in Abuja, demanding for public appearance of ailing President Musa Yar’Adua
    • Bandits attacked a mosque and kidnapped twenty-four in Giwa, Kaduna
    • Herdsmen killed eight in Guma, Benue
    • Bandits killed three and kidnapped two in Chikun, Kaduna

    According to Margaret MacMillan, we can learn from history, but we can also deceive ourselves when we selectively take evidence from the past to justify what we have already made up our minds to do.

    History is a powerful tool that sharpens knowledge and enhances education. The history of a particular society can only be accurately narrated by individuals who lived there. Nobody is better than Nigerians at rewriting our own history. We must consciously remember the past for the benefit of education.

    The history of March 10 in Nigeria was, nevertheless, shaped by four important events. These events are not just significant; they also have a significant impact on Nigeria’s growth, including both its triumphant and sad periods.

    Over 1000 activists staged a march in Abuja, demanding for public appearance of ailing President Musa Yar’Adua

    On this date, 10th of March in 2010, more than 1000 Nigerians gathered in the capital Abuja for a march to the presidency to demand the appearance of ailing leader Umaru Yar’Adua, two weeks after he returned from a Saudi hospital.

    According to reports, the 58-year-old leader was not seen in public since being flown back after three months of treatment in Jeddah for a heart condition.

    His return while still too frail to govern raised fears that his inner circle of aides, led by his wife Turai, would fight to maintain their influence over Africa’s most populous nation and seek to undermine Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

    A power struggle at the top of the OPEC member nation of 140 million people could bring paralysis in government decision-making, threatening an amnesty program in the oil-producing Niger Delta and stalling momentum on reforms.

    Several hundred people, many wearing T-shirts with “Save Nigeria Group” on the front and “Enough is Enough” on the back, gathered near to a city center hotel under the watch of police officers lining the avenue.

    Bandits attacked a mosque and kidnapped twenty-four in Giwa, Kaduna

    On this date, 10th of March in 2022, bandits attacked a mosque and abducted twenty-four in Giwa, Kaduna.

    According to report, there was confusion during the Juma’at prayers in a mosque at Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State as terrorists disrupted the religious service and abducted about 14 worshippers.

    A source told journalists that “the incident occurred in a village at Giwa Local Government Area. The gunmen surrounded the mosque and abducted 14 people. They rustled an unspecified number of cattle from Tudun Amada village.”

    Herdsmen killed eight in Guma, Benue

    On this date, 10th of March in 2022, armed Fulani herdsmen reportedly killed eight persons including women in Guma, Benue State.

    Guma is a Local Government Area of Benue State, North Central Nigeria. It is predominantly occupied by the Tiv people, other tribes too live in Guma, there are Jukun, Hausa, and Kabuwa.

    Bandits killed three and kidnapped two in Chikun, Kaduna

    On this date, 10th of March in 2022, bandits reportedly invaded Fumigi Street, Ungwan Galadima, Gonin Gora, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing three people and abducting two women.

    This tragic incident was confirmed to newsmen by the state chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. John Joseph Hayab.

    He explained that the bandits operated for about an hour without disturbance by security operatives.

  • UNIMAID Students Protest Tuition Fee Hike

    UNIMAID Students Protest Tuition Fee Hike

    Students of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), have taken to various social media platforms to protest the hike in their tuition fees.

    They are protesting against the 100% increase in their tuition fees and calling the school managements and relevant agencies to interfere in the issue as it can hinder their academic pursuit.

    Recall that UNIMAID management, on December 1st 2022, increased the tution fees of various faculties.

    WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that students in the faculty of agriculture, College of medical sciences, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, Faculty of social sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty of management sciences, and Faculty of Pharmacy are affected.

    Students will now have to pay double the initial amount. For example, 100L Accountancy student’s tuition fees were increased from #37,000 to #105,000, with 200 and 300 level paying #85,000. Also, 400L Veterinary Medicine student’s fees were increased from #45,000 to #175,000, and 600L from #39,700 to #173,000.

    200L Architecture students fees were increased from #38,264 to #130,000; Microbiology 300L from #33,900 to #75000; Biochemistry 200L from #27,500 to #90,000 and 300L from #31,000 to #88,000.

    200L students in the Faculty of Law will now have to pay #115,000 from #21,900, also 500L students will pay #108,000 from #19,800.

    This is part of many other departments’ fees being increased above 100%.

    Students have however expressed their displeasure and have taken to social media platforms to call the management to reduce the fees.

     

    Ibrahim Sefui, a student of public law, who spoke to Within Nigeria said the increment is unfair and unbearable.

    “My mother has been the one sponsoring my education since I was a child. She’s not from a rich family or living large. She’s from a little village of Chibok here in Borno State. Her dream is that I should one day acquire this degree and change the story of my generation. How is that possible if she has to pay N103,000 for my school fees which was supposed to be N28,000. Not just the fees. What will I eat when I’m in school, will my project be free? Will accommodation be free? Foodstuff and other things, she still has to provide for it. this is unfair and unbearable” he said

    Another student, Hannah Joseph, said “The hike in the fees is very bad, especially for the poor.

    It will affect me because I am the one training myself, and I have two younger sisters in another federal university. How will I cope? They should better reduce the fees”

     

  • Of Nigeria Police, protests and infrastructure failures

    Of Nigeria Police, protests and infrastructure failures

    Distinguished folks, Nigeria Police deserves our attention not pity. I am most proud of police officers who stormed the streets of Maiduguri, capital of Borno state to show their grievances over poor welfare packages and infrastructural deficits. The story of Maiduguri, Borno state is not different from the sad tales of neglection of police commands across the country. It is expected that a country battling insecurity like Nigeria would never take the reformation and continued patronage of her security agencies with levity hands.

    The current moribund state of our police stations does not commensurate with funds allocated to the force but it is quite unfortunate that the government and the leadership of the police service commission have no interest in the progress of the force. I am not a stranger to the agitations of police officers.

    On the 13th of June, 2021, I was directed by my editor-in-chief to interview two mobile police officers in Maiduguri, Borno state. In the course of interview, these officers decried non-payment of allowances for months among others. One of the officers added that if the federal government or leadership of the force refuse to resolve this issue, they would be forced to storm streets, protest and kill any senior officer they see.

    The story was published in the WITHIN NIGERIA on 18th June, 2021. The story went viral and the leadership of Nigeria Police Force vowed to look into the matter. When I watched the video of how hundreds of angry police officers stormed the streets of Maiduguri, Borno state to protest the continued negligence of the government and leadership of the force, I felt bad and pondered about the future of this country. I also watched how these aggrieved police officers were lamenting about poor welfare packages in the force, infrastructural deficits and how corruption has eaten so deep the lifewire of the force.

    It is not really surprising that police officers came out to show their grievances but it is troubling that the lamentation started almost a year ago in such troubled and terrified zone and the leadership of the force did not care. Few days ago, I visited a friend who happens to be a police officer. We discussed ‘EndSARS scenario’ at length. My friend expressed his displeasure about the attacks on police station and decried the non-attention of the media to the secrets EndSARS uncovered. What are the secrets? I anxiously asked. He took a deep sigh, drew his chair closer and carefully tapped my shoulder. He told me about the sad events police officers passed through during the EndSARS protests. He decried shortage of arms or weapons to attack or arrest hoodlums when they attacked their station. He disclosed that there was a time police officers absconded the station due to non-availability of teargas and rubber bullets to scare hoodlums who invaded their station.

    I listened with rapt attention and concluded that we as a people can not continue like this. It seems I understand Nigeria than my moody friend. He was very optimistic that the country will be better and Nigeria Police Force will definitely make it proud one day. He was carried away during the conversation and blamed the rising insecurity and attacks on negligence of the police force by its leadership and government. We circumnavigated the entire station and he stylishly showed me visible cracks on wall. I saw the deplorable state of officers’ mess and watched how officers strongly laboured to fetch water from well. Uniforms of some police officers have almost become rags. When I asked few police officers why they could not change their uniforms, they bitterly complained about finances, delay in allowances payment and corruption within the force.It was indeed a sad journey.

    Besides the non-payment of allowances, the cries for massive renovation of infrastructural facilities should be greatly considered. I could remember the very first time I was locked up in a cell by the police. I was arrested and accused of inciting protest within the academic community. Owing to insufficient cells, I was transported to another police station and locked up with another 10 suspects. From the counter to the cell, there were visible cracks in some sections and the entire station was in a complete and absolute deplorable state.

    I could remember that the iron bars stationed to serve as a gap between the cells and other rooms within the station were not strong and could fall down by a slight push. Some months ago, I visited the same police station and I observed that the state of infrastructural facilities has gone worse and the entire police station is in a moribund state. Every Nigerian state is now a hotbed for violent and criminal acts.

    Few days ago, a group of terrors called bandits attacked Kaduna communities and killed 50 people mostly women and children. These innocent people were brutally murdered in cold blood because they are Nigerians. The situation in Kaduna is not different from other Nigerian states where there is no respect or value for human lives. It is very sad. When hundreds of Nigeria police officers stormed the streets of Maiduguri to protest over poor welfare and unpaid allowances, I shook my head and pitied Nigerians.

    Luckily for us, no Nigerian is safe. Both the commoners and elites are not safe. No means of transportation is safe. Either air, land or water, there is no peace anywhere and everywhere. We must strengthen our security instititions and assist the police officers in driving their demands home. If at worst, there should be protest from the police, it should not be at this perilious time.

    We must call on government to ensure that the demands of the police are met and the force must be strengthened. As we struggle to be alive, we must canvass for the reformation and direct growth of people responsible for our safety.

    Sodiq Lawal is a Nigerian writer and journalist at WITHIN NIGERIA