Independence Day Uprising: Organizers Vow To Protest Fuel Subsidy Removal Despite Police Crackdown

The organizers of the #FearlessOctober1 protest have firmly declared that their planned demonstration on Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, October 1, will proceed at Eagle Square in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), despite warnings from the police, Department of State Services, and military.

The protest is intended to highlight the growing hardships Nigerians are facing due to the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira.

In preparation for the event, the organizers have formally notified Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, requesting adequate security measures to ensure the safety of protesters. They emphasized that the right to protest is a constitutional right and vowed to resist any attempts by state agents to silence their voices.

Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, and Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilization for the group, confirmed that mobilization efforts are in full swing, with Nigerians from different regions of the country set to participate.

“We have informed the Inspector General of Police about our protest locations and reminded him of the police’s constitutional duty to protect protesters rather than repress them,” Sanyaolu stated.

The protests will take place at several key locations nationwide, with Eagle Square in Abuja hosting the primary demonstration, coinciding with the Independence Day parade. In Lagos, protesters will gather at the Ikeja Under Bridge. The organizers made it clear that only the immediate reversal of the fuel subsidy removal would halt their demonstration plans.

In response, Inspector General Egbetokun has directed zonal and state police commands to deploy personnel to key locations starting Monday, with a stand-down order to be issued when necessary. Officers have been instructed to wear camouflage and hats, and Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police have been tasked with engaging civil society groups to discourage participation in the protests.

However, protest leader Omoyele Sowore dismissed concerns, stating that the youth are not afraid of police presence, and the protest will proceed as planned. He assured that the demonstrations will remain peaceful, contrary to fears of potential violence.

“Nobody has expressed fear to us because they know we are non-violent protesters. Perhaps that question should be directed at the government,” Sowore added.

Deji Adeyanju, a lawyer representing the organizers, criticized the police for summoning protesters, stressing that it is the responsibility of security agencies to protect peaceful demonstrators.

“The police have no right to summon protesters. It is their duty to protect them during demonstrations. The protesters are not political parties and should not be harassed,” Adeyanju stated.

Adeyanju also noted that the crackdown on the #EndBadGovernance protests in August was an attempt to deter future demonstrations. However, he affirmed that the arrests and detention of protesters will not discourage the youth from joining the #FearlessOctober1 protest.