Amid Defying Threats, Lagos Residents Protest Against Hardships, Hunger

Despite ominous warnings from some Lagos Indigenes and traditionalists, protesters in Lagos took to the streets on Thursday morning to voice their discontent against the prevailing economic hardship and hunger in the country.

The demonstration, which kicked off at the Ikeja Under-bridge, was accompanied by a heavy security presence.

The protesters, undeterred by the threats, marched towards the Allen Roundabout, en route to the Alausa Secretariat, with designated stops at Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota and Freedom Park in Ketu. Meanwhile, the Lekki Tollgate area remained quiet, with no protesters in sight, but a significant presence of armed security agents and armoured tanks was observed.

The nationwide protest, slated for August 1, aims to bring attention to the economic struggles faced by Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

At Agege, a protester Mrs Seyi Odualah who spoke with the New Telegraph said, “The bravery of the protesters in the face of intimidation serves as a testament to their determination to demand change from the Federal Government of Nigeria. Prices of goods and services are far too high. It makes one tired of the country.

“I wish everyone would be on the streets protesting to register the seriousness of the situation to the government. It’s been too difficult to feed in Nigeria, the government must do something urgent,” she said.

Another protester at Dopemu, who called himself, Kabiyesi, said in Yoruba, “Ebin npa wa” meaning we are hungry. Is it until we all die before we protest? Things are hard, we must protest. People cannot eat well.

Garri which used to be the poor man’s food has become a luxury these days. Garri used to spoil in a typical Nigerian home because it is the most common Nigerian food. Now, Garri is competing with rice in inflation. If we must die, let us die. We must protest.”

In another Interview, Eyimofe Daniel, a protester from Iyana Ipaja said, “Protests are human rights. It’s the only way to express our dissatisfaction with the government of the day.

What I don’t agree with is the destruction of lives and properties. We don’t need to express violence to be heard,” he said.