The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered heightened security at the country’s borders in response to a planned nationwide protest against economic hardship, scheduled to begin on August 1, 2024.
In a statement, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) spokesman KT Udo announced, “The Comptroller General of Immigration Service, KN Nandap pcc, mmis, fsm, has directed Zonal Heads, State Command Comptrollers and Divisional Immigration Officers (DIOS) of the Service across the country to be extra vigilant and step up surveillance in view of the planned nationwide protest by some groups.”
He further instructed border officers to “work assiduously to prevent unscrupulous foreign elements from entering the country for any sinister motive” and emphasized that officers should “display utmost professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their duties.”
The demonstration, tagged #EndBadGovernance, aims to protest the economic hardship resulting from inflation, which hit 34.19 percent in June 2024. This spike in inflation has been attributed to the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira by President Tinubu’s administration, pushing the cost of essential commodities beyond the reach of many Nigerians.
Security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police, have raised alarms about the protest. The DSS claimed to have identified sponsors of the protest and warned that criminal elements might hijack it to cause mayhem. Similarly, the police stated that foreign mercenaries are allegedly backing the planned demonstrations and demanded that protest organizers submit their details to security agencies.
In the Federal Capital Territory, over 4,200 police personnel have been deployed, and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) also cautioned that mischief-makers could hijack the protest. To address the situation, President Tinubu and state governors have been meeting with stakeholders, urging dialogue and requesting more time to tackle the nation’s challenges.
