A large number of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters are feared injured after police violently dispersed a demonstration in Abuja on Friday. The protesters, who were rallying against perceived governmental failures, had ignored warnings from the police against holding the procession.
According to eyewitness accounts, the police set up an ambush for the protesters shortly after they passed the National Hospital area. The authorities then used tear gas and reportedly fired live ammunition to break up the gathering. This sudden and aggressive response caused panic among the protesters, many of whom were forced to flee into nearby bushes for safety.
Several protesters who sustained injuries during the chaos spoke to journalists, condemning the police’s actions as excessive and unprovoked. One protester, still visibly shaken, described how they narrowly escaped serious harm by jumping into a ditch when the firing began. “We were peacefully marching when the police attacked us without any warning,” another injured demonstrator said.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians expressing their anger at the police’s heavy-handed tactics. The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement, which has gained traction in recent months, calls for sweeping reforms in governance, including an end to police brutality and greater accountability from public officials.
As of now, the extent of the injuries sustained by the protesters remains unclear, and there are growing concerns over the use of live ammunition in crowd control. Human rights organizations and concerned citizens have called for an independent investigation into the incident to hold those responsible accountable.
