As nationwide protests continued into their second day on Friday, some regions experienced violence, resulting in loss of life and property damage.
Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’adu Abubakar III, along with Archbishop Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), have called for an end to the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The protests, driven by frustration over economic policies, have seen angry youths take to the streets in cities like Lagos and Abuja. What began as peaceful demonstrations on August 1, 2024, quickly escalated into violence.
Concerned by the escalating situation, the religious leaders have appealed for calm and urged both protesters and organizers to enter into dialogue. They highlighted that while there is undeniable hardship and hunger in the country, further unrest will only exacerbate the situation.
In a joint statement, they expressed: “The peaceful protest that began on August 1 turned violent later in the day, resulting in significant loss of life and property. This unrest is not a solution and will only worsen the already fragile state of the nation. We urge protesters to call off the demonstrations and allow the government an opportunity to address the issues.”
They also stressed the need for security agencies to act professionally and called on the government to promptly address the citizens’ needs. “The destruction witnessed in just one day is alarming. Prolonged unrest could lead to even greater damage. We need a peaceful nation that we can all be proud of. May God bless us all.”