Lagos State residents have been threatened by some suspected thugs not to participate in the hunger protest scheduled from Thursday, August 1 to Saturday, August 10.
In a now viral clip on Tuesday, individuals whose voices were the only ones audible were threatening market women and men in a Lagos market, warning them to desist from the planned protest, as it might lead to more destruction than that witnessed during the #EndSARS demonstration.
“Anyone confident should come out on Thursday to protest. Are you the only one hungry? If you dare come out for the protest, you will be mercilessly dealt with.
“If they burn your shops, who will be responsible for it? On Thursday, if you truly believe in your cause, come out and protest. You are not the only ones who are hungry; we don’t want things to be destroyed in Lagos. We will not allow it,” the men in the video threatened.
It was gathered that some youths in Lagos held a solidarity march to counter the planned nationwide hunger demonstrations scheduled for August 1.
Also, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has urged all groups planning to participate in the proposed nationwide demonstrations to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
Egbetokun noted that this was to ensure the protest remains peaceful.
He said, “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest.
“However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide the necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.”
Meanwhile, the federal government has stated that the planned nationwide hunger demonstrations on August 1-10, 2024, are no longer necessary.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, stated this to State House media during the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, which was presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Idris noted that the government is already addressing some of the concerns made by unhappy Nigerians and working to ensure that food is available.
