Three countries, the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, have issued security alerts to their citizens in Nigeria, warning them to be cautious due to the potential for violence during the planned nationwide protests against hunger and hardship.
The protests are scheduled to begin on August 1, 2024, and the countries have advised their citizens to avoid areas where there might be confrontations between security agencies and protesters.
The advisories urged citizens to exercise caution, avoid large crowds, and stay informed through local media reports, as previous protests have turned violent with little warning.
“According to media reports, nationwide protests may occur in Nigeria between July 29 and August 5, 2024. Based on past occurrences, protests may involve roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion, and physical confrontations,” the US mission in Abuja wrote.
The UK High Commission warned that protests could occur in major cities like Abuja and Lagos from July 29 to August 10. British nationals were advised to avoid large crowds and stay updated through media reports.
“Political rallies, protests, and violent demonstrations can take place with little notice. Get advice on areas to avoid. Take care if you’re visiting crowded public places or attending events that attract large crowds. If you see a threatening or intimidating situation, do not try to make your way through it. Turn around and move to safety,” the advisory stated.
The Canadian government also alerted its citizens about the demonstrations, cautioning them to expect traffic disruptions and potential violence. They advised vigilance, following local authorities’ instructions, and monitoring local media for updates.
“Nationwide demonstrations are planned between July 29 to August 5, 2024. They could disrupt traffic and public transportation and could turn violent at any time,’ the advisory cautioned.