FearlessOctober: Panic in Abuja as Police Crack Down on Protesters

Tension gripped Abuja on Tuesday as Nigerian police fired teargas at hundreds of protesters participating in the #FearlessInOctober demonstration, a rally against poverty, hardship, and bad governance. The protest, part of a nationwide movement, took place in the Jabi and Utako areas of the Federal Capital Territory.

The police crackdown sparked chaos, forcing residents to flee and demonstrators to scatter. Protesters carried banners with messages like “We are hungry” and “Enough is Enough – Revolution Now,” expressing frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions.

Nigerians continue to struggle with skyrocketing food prices, fuel costs, and widespread poverty. A bag of rice now costs around N100,000, while fuel prices have surged past N1,000 per liter. These hikes have exacerbated the hardships faced by many citizens, fueling the protests.

Eyewitnesses reported that several protesters were injured during the police intervention, though no official casualty figures have been confirmed by organizers.

One protester, before being dispersed, voiced the anger felt by many: “The Nigerian government seeks to repress, suppress, and oppress the Nigerian people to the point where they become too afraid to express their fundamental rights. But today, through our actions, we show the government that our voices cannot be silenced. We won’t remain quiet in the face of poverty, suffering, insecurity, and poor leadership. A bag of rice costs N100,000, and fuel is over N1,000 per liter. Is that not enough to act?”

The protests, which began on Tuesday morning, drew Nigerians from various walks of life, united by a common demand for better governance and economic reform. Demonstrators are calling on the government to address the nation’s economic crisis and improve living conditions for all citizens.