Police disperse protesters with tear gas in Abuja
Police operatives fired tear gas at protesters at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, as a nationwide protest against economic hardship and hunger enters a third day.
The protesters had huddled outside the stadium to deliberate on the day’s procession when the fumes from the canisters came pouring in.
The police have been trying to restrict the protesters to the main bowl of the stadium — while citing a court order — since the demonstrations began on August 1.
“Are we footballers? Why should you restrict us to the stadium? Are we footballers?” one of the protesters yelled repeatedly.
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In Lagos, police successfully confined protesters to the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota after heated debates.
Prices of foodstuffs and groceries have ballooned in Nigeria since President Bola Tinubu announced the end of subsidy on petrol on May 29, 2023.
The president and government officials had repeatedly appealed to protest organisers to shelve the planned marches.
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More than 14 people have been feared killed across Nigeria since the protests began.
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