Live Update:

Nigerians poured into the streets in major cities across the nation to protest against economic hardship despite the government’s last-minute push to prevent the demonstration.

Inflation has reached 34 per cent owing majorly to the twin policies of subsidy removal and floating of the naira. That has pushed the cost of basic items beyond the reach of millions of Nigerians.

Talks about the demonstration tagged #EndBadGovernance protest had gained momentum on social media, leading discussions among young Nigerians on digital platforms.

Authorities across the country had in the wake of calls for the protest rallied around to halt it.

They warned that they might be hijacked by criminals. While they admitted to the challenges facing the nation, they urged the organisers to shelve the protest and give the government more time to address the issues raised.

But undeterred, the Take It Back Movement, one of the organisers of the protest said it was not going back on the rallies.

Some of the demands of the protesters include the restoration of petrol subsidies and the forex regime. They also want the government to address food shortages, unemployment, and wasteful spending by those in power.

Other are immediate reforms of the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with renewed vigour in the fight against corrupt politicians.

05: 57 pm: [Nationwide Protests] Curfew imposed in Karu LGA of Nasarawa StateA 6 pm to 6 am curfew has been imposed in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state indefinitely.

The chairman of Karu James Thomas imposed the curfew to restore calm after the protest turned violent in the area resulting in destruction, looting, stealing, highway blockade, and vandalism in the Mararraba area, the border between the State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

05:56 pm: Police Arrest Eleven In Niger State, Tafa LGA Secretariat Partly Burnt, Other Valuables DamagedFollowing the nationwide protest which commence today 1st August, some miscreants in the Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State have set ablaze some parts of the LGA located in Sabon Wuse.

Confirming the incident, the commissioner of Police, Niger State Command Shawulu Danmamman said the criminals who had vandalised and looted some properties belonging to the local government were arrested along Abuja-Kaduna road.

The Commissioner of Police, who was in the local government to see firsthand hand the extent of damage, said the police will not watch hoodlums disrupt the peace and stability of the generality of the people in the name of protest.

05:43 pm: [Protests] Cops Tear-Gassed Hoodlums, Won’t Allow Anarchy – Police.

05: 27 pm: Obaseki Meets With Protesters. The Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, addressed protesters within the Benin metropolis in the wake of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests by citizens to express displeasure over the difficult living conditions, arising from various policies that the Federal Government has implemented.

Obaseki who empathised with the protesters at Ring Road, Benin City, the Edo State capital, said he was aware of the pains and sufferings faced by the Edo people and all Nigerians, promising to convey their demands to President Bola Tinubu.

05:22 pm: The police in Nasarawa State have dispersed protesters in Lafia, the state capital.

This is to prevent further breakdown of law and order after some of them began burning tires and destroying vehicles.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Lafia was also attacked before the security personnel chased them.

05:01: Adegboruwa commends protesters, says rallies continueA human rights lawyer and one of the representatives of the protest organisers Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has hailed the protesters for their peaceful disposition, calling on them to return on Friday.

04: 53 pm: Protesters gathered at the Old Airport roundabout in Jos, Plateau State in continuation of the rallies.

As the time for afternoon prayers approached, the Muslim faithful converged to offer the Zuhr prayers. As a mark of solidarity and unity of purpose for the protest, the Christian brethren offered security and cover for them while the prayers lasted and thereafter resumed the procession.

04: 32: Fifty-three suspects have been arrested in Bauchi State capital for alleged unlawful assembly and breach of public peace.

04: 23 pm: Protests have turned violent in Hadejia, Jigawa State. In Dutse, the state capital, the protesters who marched to the Government House were dispersed.

04:20 pm: Kano Govt Declares Curfew After Looting Of Park. The newly built Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Industrial Park in Kano has been looted by hoodlums amidst a wave of nationwide protests against economic hardship.

The ICT centre, scheduled for commissioning next week, was also set ablaze during the unrest.

In response to the escalating violence, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has declared a 24-hour curfew across the state.

“We are deeply concerned by the turn of events and are taking all necessary measures to restore order. I urge all residents to remain indoors as security agencies work to enforce the curfew,” he stated.

04:16 pm: Ebonyi Government Commends the Youths for Shunning Protest.

The Ebonyi state government has commended the youths for their decision to listen to the advice of the state leaders at all levels and refuse to be lured into the nationwide protest.

This is contained in a statement signed by the state commissioner for Information and orientation Jude Okpor.

According to Okpor, the government expresses thanks to the youths for their patriotic stance, stressing that the government views the youths’ decision as a strong support for Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration.

03: 58 pm: The protesters here in Ojota, Lagos State have rounded off for the day. They say they’ll reconvene on Friday morning.

03:43 pm: Yobe Govt. imposes curfew in three LGAs. After violent protests in some parts of Yobe State, the government has imposed a 24-hour in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru towns where some hoodlums are taking advantage of the protest to vandalize, and loot government and private properties.

The Special Adviser to Governor Mai Mala Buni on Security Matters Dairy Abdulsalam urged the general public to abide by the curfew order and stay at home for peace to reign in the affected areas and the state at large.

03:18 pm: The atmosphere in Anambra State is still calm with no news of protest in any part of the state whether in the urban, semi-urban, or rural areas.

02:41 pm: Suspected hoodlums hijack protest in Katsina, loot properties.

02:37 pm: Protesters vandalise streetlights, and signboards as they cater away with valuables on Katsina Road, Airport Roundabout in Kano.

02:19 pm: The spokesman of Yobe State Police Command DSP Dungus Abdulkarim has confirmed the burning of mass transit buses in Potiskum.

02:14 pm: Police tear gas protesters in Abuja

02:13 pm: Wike commends protesters for shunning violence in the FCT

01: 56 pm: Protesters in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, have joined the nationwide demonstration.

There is a heavy security presence to ensure a peaceful procession. The Nasarawa Commissioner of Police, Usman Nadada, had announced the deployment of 4,000 personnel to monitor the protest in the state.

They carried placards with several inscriptions like, ‘End Bad Governance’, ‘We are Hungry,’ and chants of ‘ba mu yi’ in Hausa, meaning, ‘We are not interested.

01:55 pm: Fubara Hails Protesters’ Peaceful Disposition In Rivers.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has commended protesters in the state for being peaceful, despite the reality of the economic hardship that prompted the agitation.

Governor Fubara stated this while addressing the protesters who marched to the Government House in Port Harcourt to register their grievances.

He reassured the youths of his unwavering commitment to improving the state’s economy and the overall welfare of the people.

The governor said the peaceful nature of the protests demonstrates their genuine desire for positive change and underscores the importance of addressing their concerns promptly.

He urged the protesters to continue to exercise patience and trust in his administration’s efforts to bring about meaningful economic reforms.

He, however, cautioned the protesters to be vigilant against elements within the state who might attempt to hijack the peaceful protest to incite violence, particularly in the current political situation.

01:44 pm: The police have arrested 25 suspects in connection with the violent attacks on government agencies. The spokesman of the Kaduna Police Command Mansir Hassan said some of the arrested suspects are IMN members.

One of the suspects was caught with AK-47 live ammunition, a jack knife, and a police camouflage uniform.

01:21 pm: Protesters in Benin, Edo State are gathered at the King Square.

01:18 pm: The police fire tear gas on protesters at the Inter Bau roundabout in Asaba, Delta State.

01:16 pm: Protesters in Bauchi Regroup, Advance To the Govt House Protesters in the Bauchi metropolis have regrouped and are insisting on advancing to the government house after being dispersed by the police at the Emir’s Palace.

They marched to the Nassarawa Gate and CBN Roundabout but were dispersed once again by the police. Roads leading to the government house have been barricaded, and movement around the vicinity is restricted.

The organisers of the ‘Take it Back’ protest earlier stated that they were finding it difficult to control the youths who had joined the protest.

01:05 pm: Port Harcourt Turns Ghost Town Amidst ‘End Bad Governance’ ProtestIn Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Day 1 of the nationwide ‘End Bad Governance’ protest left the city looking like a ghost town. Places known to be a beehive of activities, even on public holidays, are a shadow of themselves.

12:54 pm: Gov Diri Applauds Bayelsa Youths For ‘Abstaining From National Protest’.

12:46 pm: Police, Army Disperse Protesters In Zamfara. The joint security forces of the police and the army have dispersed some protesters who mounted a roadblock and burned tyres along Government House in Gusau, Zamfara State.

The police operatives fired teargas to disperse the protesters while the Nigerian Army deployed an armored vehicle to the scene to restore normalcy.

12: 29 pm: The state traffic law enforcement agency located along Sokoto Road, near the Government House in Kaduna has been set on fire.

12: 19 pm: In Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, the atmosphere is calm and no protesters have been seen on the major streets this early morning but the streets are scanty.

The state governor did a state-wide broadcast on Wednesday and the state assembly also held a plenary to appeal to citizens to consider the possible unforeseen negative effects of such protests.

Stakeholders and other unions in the state also condemned the proposed protest, saying that the country can not have a repeat of the 2020 #EndSARS protest which took many lives and properties destroyed all over the country.

12: 08 pm: The Gidan Baban Gwari area of the Kano metropolis is flooded with protesters carrying placards and green leaves. Security personnel are seen ensuring that there is no breakdown of law and order.

11:55 am: Police disperse protesters with teargas at the National Assembly junction in Abuja.

11:53 am: The protest just commenced in Taraba State. But Security agencies have asked that they turn back even as they chant saying let the government return fuel subsidy.

10: 35 am: In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, most of the major roads are nearly empty.

The commercial areas like Challenge saw few shops open for businesses.

A magistrate court yesterday gave an order that the planned protest should be restricted to the Metropolitan Square and some minutes to noon.

The place is empty of protesters except few security operatives on the ground.

11:36 am: The protesters have arrived at the Rivers State Government House. They’re waiting for Governor Sim Fubara to come and address them.

11: 28 am: There is a charged atmosphere in Ojota, Lagos as protesters chase a small group of anti-protest campaigners.

11:24 am: There are partially empty streets in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

11:19 am: Members of Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria on procession in Jos.

11:16 am: Protesters are now at the Lekki Toll Gate. They are carrying placards with different messages.

They, were, however, informed of a court order restricting their gathering to Alausa. But the few who gathered rejected relocating to Alausa and continued their protest.

But they were dispersed after the police fired teargas at them.

11:08 am: Students marching in support of the President at Farmcentre in Kano State.

11:01 am: As of now in Cross River State, the protest is only held along the Mary Slessor axis in Calabar. They are protesting under the rain, stating their plight.

10: 52 am: The protest in Bauchi State has been disrupted as police fired tear gas at demonstrators.

The protesters, who had assembled in front of the Emir’s palace to demand a meeting with the Emir, were stopped by a police barricade. Fearing the crowd was becoming unruly, the police deployed tear gas.

The youths are insisting that they be allowed to continue their protest.

10: 51 am: It’s a rainy morning in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

A visit across the city shows a partially empty street, with businesses shut down. Even the Lafia Modern Market has few traders with a security presence to ensure law and order.

The police had announced the deployment of 4,000 personnel across the state. There is no protest going on at the moment in the state.

Several groups had dissociated from the action, following appeals from several quarters, including the government.

10:42 am: There are also counter-protesters at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

10:42 am: Major roads in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital are virtually empty as only commercial buses, tricyclists and few private vehicles could be seen operating.

There is no sign of likely protest as protesters could not be seen in sight but traders. Banks, eateries, fuel stations, supermarts, and others are under lock.

10:40 am: Protesters moving to Eagle Square in Abuja, leaving the approved venue (MKO Abiola Stadium).

10:35 am: Protesters were throwing stones at journalists in the Gwange area of the Maiduguri metropolis, Yobe State.

10:32 am: At the moment, the streets are empty in some areas in Jalingo, Taraba with security agencies manning government facilities.

Few protesters were seen matching to the government house with placards. In some other areas, it is business as usual.

10:25 am: The atmosphere at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos remains calm. There are no protesters. Meanwhile, security personnel are on the ground there.

10:21 am: A sudden violent protest has erupted in Gombe State.

A swarm of protesters had converged at the Government House premises trying to gain forceful entry into the facility. But security personnel are holding the line.

10: 16 am: In Alausa, Ikeja CBD of Lagos, the shopping mall is almost empty. The Lekki Expressway is in almost the same situation.

10:10 am: Residents of Maiduguri in Borno State are also protesting.

10:09 am: There are protests virtually everywhere in the Kano State. The protesters are marching towards the Government House.

10:06 am: Some persons have taken to the streets of Damaturu in Yobe State to protest hardship and hunger.

They are holding a peaceful protest from Maiduguri Road to possibly terminate at the Governor’s Office.

10:05 am: At the moment, Kaduna is peaceful.

However, a group of youth has converged at the NEPA Roundabout in protest of the prevailing economic situation in the country.

Displaying some placards with different inscriptions, the protesters march along the NEPA Roundabout to Ahmadu Bello Way, singing.

They are calling on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the fuel subsidy removal and also address the problem of insecurity in the north particularly.

09: 15 am: The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway both inwards and outwards Lagos (Arepo Bus stop) was without the usual busy traffic this morning. Arepo is about 7km outside Lagos.

10:09 am: ‘We believe in Nigeria’s unity and progress,’ protesters in Plateau demand good governance.

08:25 am: Protesters were at the Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos State on a procession, defying a court order barring street rallies. But security agencies tried to bar them from proceeding.

8:24 am: Another deployment of policemen has arrived the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park.

8:22 am: At the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, the protesters (numbering about 50) are gathered at the entrance of the facility.

Among the protesters are members of the “Enough Is Enough” group. One of the co-conveners Deji Adeyanju says security officials have been cooperative so far with them.

There is a sizeable deployment of security personnel at the stadium, comprising police, army, and officials of the NSCDC.

08:21 am: Banks, markets, and business establishments are closed in Owerri as protesters are closed.

08:19: Some of the protesters are singing the old national anthem as a form of protest here in Port Harcourt.

8:18 am: A group gathered in the Alausa area of Lagos. They say they are not protesting but rallying against violent protest.

The DPO of the police station there also came to address the group. She said they should go to Gani Fawehinmi Park because they are not allowed to gather here.

8:03 am: Banks, markets, and business premises are closed in Owerri, Imo State. Scanty movement. No sight of protesters yet.

8:00 am: Protesters are not in sight yet at Ojota in Lagos but the police are on the ground.

7:53 am: Roads deserted at the Stadium Roundabout in the Kaduna State capital.

7:45 am: Heavy security presence in Sokoto metropolis, as the planned nationwide protest kickstarts, to ensure orderliness.

7:40 am: Protesters already gathered at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

7:38 am: Protesters have started congregating in front of the popular Port Harcourt Pleasure Park in Rivers State.

7:20 am: Scanty movement at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State.What is supposed to be a busy axis of the Lagos metropolis for a workday is witnessing unusual quietness.