Panic in Abuja as Police Teargas #FearlessInOctober Protesters
On Tuesday, chaos erupted in Abuja as Nigerian police used teargas to disperse hundreds of protesters participating in the #FearlessInOctober demonstrations. The protests, staged in the Jabi and Utako areas of the Federal Capital Territory, were part of a nationwide movement demanding urgent action against poverty, economic hardship, and bad governance.
Demonstrators carried banners with bold inscriptions such as “We are hungry” and “Enough is Enough – Revolution Now.” The protesters, frustrated by the skyrocketing cost of living and deteriorating living conditions, were making their voices heard. The economic situation in Nigeria has reached alarming levels, with the price of a bag of rice surging to N100,000, while fuel prices have soared above N1,000 per liter. These steep increases have left many Nigerians unable to meet their basic needs, fueling the anger that sparked the protests.
The scene in Abuja quickly became tense as police cracked down on the peaceful demonstrators, using teargas to disperse the crowd. Witnesses reported that the police’s aggressive response sent protesters and residents fleeing for safety, leaving behind scenes of panic and confusion. Some protesters sustained injuries, although organizers of the demonstration have not yet released an official report on the extent of the casualties.
One of the demonstrators, speaking before the protest was broken up, voiced the frustration shared by many Nigerians: “The Nigerian government seeks to repress, suppress, and oppress the Nigerian people to the point where they become too afraid to express their fundamental rights. However, today, we are showing the government through our actions here that our voices can never be silenced. The government should not expect us to remain quiet in the face of our poverty, suffering, insecurity, and poor leadership in every sector.”
The #FearlessInOctober protests drew citizens from diverse backgrounds, united by their shared grievances against the economic hardships plaguing the nation. The movement began in the early hours of Tuesday, with protesters calling on the government to address their demands for lower food and fuel prices, job creation, and an end to systemic corruption. The widespread poverty and insecurity in Nigeria have made life increasingly difficult for the average citizen, and the government’s apparent inability to alleviate these problems has sparked growing discontent.
For many of the protesters, the current economic crisis is unsustainable. Prices of basic goods have surged, and the fuel price hike has had a ripple effect on transportation, food, and household essentials, pushing millions of Nigerians deeper into poverty. Protesters argue that the government must take urgent action to stabilize the economy and provide relief to its citizens. The #FearlessInOctober movement represents a desperate plea for change, as the people feel they have been abandoned by their leaders.
As the protests continued, social media became flooded with images and videos showing the crackdown and scenes of protesters running from the police. The teargas-laced dispersal left the streets of Jabi and Utako in disarray. Despite the challenges, the protesters remained determined to keep the movement alive, vowing to continue pressing for their demands until the government takes meaningful action.
The #FearlessInOctober protest is a reminder of the resilience of the Nigerian people, who are unwilling to accept the current state of affairs. As more protests are expected to erupt across the country, the message is clear: Nigerians are tired of empty promises and demand real solutions to the nation’s growing economic and social crises.
Social Media Reactions
- “I can’t believe this is how we treat peaceful protesters. We’re all suffering, and they have a right to speak up! 💔 #FearlessInOctober #EndBadGovernance” – @NaijaJules
- “A bag of rice at N100k and fuel over N1k…when will this suffering end? Time to stand together! ✊🏽 #RevolutionNow #FearlessInOctober” – @Chidi_Aduku
- “Our government doesn’t want us to speak, but we will continue to protest until real change happens. 🇳🇬✊🏾 #FearlessInOctober #WeAreHungry” – @ZaraOnyeocha
- “Another day, another protest silenced with teargas. How much longer do they expect us to stay quiet? 😡 #BadGovernance #FearlessInOctober” – @ToluFisayo
- “Seeing young Nigerians standing up for their rights gives me hope. Don’t let them silence you! 👏🏿 #FearlessInOctober #EndPovertyNigeria” – @FemiOlaoluwa.
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