Organisers of the planned October 1 protest against hardship in Nigeria have vowed to proceed, despite warnings from the Federal Government and the Nigerian Police Force.
The organisers confirmed the protest on social media on Monday, urging Nigerians to join the peaceful demonstration nationwide.
They emphasized that the protests, set to begin at 7 a.m. at Eagles Square in Abuja, would remain non-violent. “We are prepared to come out to protest peacefully. No amount of force will stop us from speaking truth to power,” one of the leaders stated.
The protest is a response to growing frustration over rising fuel prices, currency devaluation, and increasing insecurity. “Petrol prices have risen by almost N300 per litre, and bandits have taken over entire communities,” an organiser said, highlighting the country’s economic crisis.
Despite the assurances of peaceful demonstrations, the Nigerian Police Force has started deploying officers across states to prevent any violence.
The Niger State Police Command, among others, confirmed the deployment of personnel to major areas to maintain public order.
In Lagos, protesters plan to gather at Ikeja Under Bridge at 7:30 a.m. Organisers in Rivers, Kano, and Kaduna have also confirmed readiness, stating that the protests will go on as planned.
While the Lagos State Government reiterated court restrictions on protests, organisers have maintained that they are exercising their constitutional rights.
The protest, organised by the Take It Back Movement, aims to hold the government accountable for its economic policies, with activists urging Nigerians to come out in large numbers.
