As Nigeria braces for a series of planned nationwide demonstrations, dubbed the “hunger protest,” a controversy has erupted over the increased presence of military personnel in major cities, particularly the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Prominent human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has taken a bold stance by directly appealing to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, urging the withdrawal of soldiers deployed across urban centers. Adeyanju argues that the responsibility for maintaining order during protests falls squarely within the purview of the police force, not the military.
In a letter addressed to Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, Adeyanju draws parallels to past incidents where military involvement in civilian protests led to escalated tensions and, in some cases, tragic outcomes. He cites the recent unrest in Kenya and Nigeria’s own #EndSARS movement in 2020 as cautionary tales of how military presence can potentially exacerbate rather than calm volatile situations.
The activist’s plea comes in response to reports of an increased security presence, including military personnel, in the FCT and other cities ahead of the protests scheduled for August 1-10. While defense officials, such as Maj Gen Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, maintain that the troop deployment is routine and not aimed at intimidating protesters, skepticism remains among civil society groups.
Adeyanju’s letter serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between maintaining public order and respecting citizens’ right to peaceful protest. By invoking past incidents and emphasizing the role of police in managing demonstrations, the activist aims to prevent potential confrontations between protesters and military personnel.
As the date of the planned protests approaches, all eyes are on the government’s response to this appeal. The handling of this situation could set a precedent for how future demonstrations are managed in Nigeria, potentially shaping the relationship between civil society and security forces in the years to come.