Nigerian civil society groups plan nationwide June 12 protests over insecurity and economic hardship
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
A coalition of Nigerian civil society organizations, trade unions, youth groups, and other associations has announced nationwide protests and mass action for June 12. The groups, including the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, and the #EndBadGovernance Movement, are protesting worsening insecurity, escalating economic hardship, and deteriorating living conditions for millions of Nigerians. They aim to demand the immediate release of Nigerians held captive in various states, highlighting that there is nothing to celebrate on June 12 due to ongoing fear of attacks from terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers. The coalition stated that government responses to insecurity have been largely inadequate, with communities attacked, schools threatened, and highways unsafe. They also criticized the economic policies of the President Bola Tinubu administration, such as fuel subsidy removal, repeated fuel price increases, currency devaluation, and rising electricity tariffs, which they say have pushed millions into deeper poverty despite increased government allocations. The coalition urged Nigerians to join the protests to compel the government to address insecurity and reverse what they describe as anti-poor economic policies.
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