June 12 Protest: Yesterday, after months of planning, Nigerians took to the streets to protest against bad governance, abuse of human rights, worsening insecurity, and other forms of maladministration and mishandling of democracy in the country. Coincidentally, this protest happened one week after the Nigerian government’s sudden and unconstitutional Twitter ban.
Yesterday was also Nigeria’s Democracy day, and as usual, the president gave his Democracy day speech.
This reporter was not impressed:
Where did the June 12 protest happen?
The protests happened across different states of the federation, and also outside the country.
Here are some of the updates from the protest:
The police arrested protesters in Ojota, Lagos:
Peaceful protesters in Ojota, Lagos were arrested after police had used teargas as warning.
Tear gas was also used to disperse the crowd.
In typical Nigerian police-style, direct shots were fired at citizens:
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde joined the June 12 protest:
Just like he went out for the EndSARS protests, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde came out for the June 12 protests yesterday too and rallied with the people. He seems to have this people person thing going well for him.
People were paid to support Buhari:
People dressed in Buhari merch were also out on the streets in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria yesterday, supporting Buhari. A few of them owned up to being paid small amounts of money to wear the shirts and hold placards in support of the government.
Outside Lagos and Abuja, more people turned up for the protests.
June 12 Protest- Warri, Delta state:
June 12 Protest-Jos:
Kano:
Benin, Edo state:
Akure, Ondo state:
London:
New York:
Nigerian were also ready to show help to people needing medical help, with people tweeting that they were available to help if anyone needed an ambulance or urgent first aid:
Nigerian lawyers on Twitter also helped release people who were arrested.
