On the morning of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, protesters gathered at the Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos State, voicing their frustrations over ongoing socio-economic challenges.
The demonstration, tagged **#FearlessOctober1**, was marked by a strong presence of security personnel, including the state police, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, all under the leadership of Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola.
The protesters, consisting of various civil society groups such as the Take It Back Movement, the Education Rights Campaign, the Coalition for Revolution, and the Socialist Workers League, chanted solidarity songs and displayed placards with messages calling for urgent reforms.
Inscriptions included demands to “Reverse electricity tariff now,” “End all attacks on democratic rights,” and “Reduce petrol price to N197 per litre; end scarcity,” reflecting widespread discontent with government policies.
This protest follows a previous wave of demonstrations that took place from August 1 to 10, where citizens similarly expressed their dissatisfaction with the state of the nation. Organizers indicated that the ongoing rally is a continuation of those efforts, driven by the Nigerian Government’s failure to address pressing issues such as rampant inflation, food insecurity, government inefficiency, and the need for electoral reforms.
Participants voiced their concerns about the rising cost of living, insecurity, and the perceived disconnect between the government and the citizens it serves. The protest underscores a growing sentiment among Nigerians, urging the government to take decisive action to alleviate the hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
