Protesters declare 3-day mourning for protest martyrs

Organizers of the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests have declared a three-day mourning period to honor colleagues killed by security agents during the peaceful demonstrations, starting on August 7, 2024 to August 9, 2024, featuring a public forum and candlelight procession.

Hassan Soweto, Ayoyinka Oni, and Adegboyega Adeniji announced a mourning period in a statement from the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria committee.

This announcement was made at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos State.

This decision followed violent attacks on peaceful protesters by police and alleged state-sponsored thugs.

“Arising from a closed-door organizers’ meeting today, Tuesday, 6 August 2024, we have declared three days of mourning in Lagos State…

“To honour our fallen colleagues across the country who were killed by trigger-happy police and security agents during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest. 

“The three days of mourning will commence on Wednesday, 7 August, with an X Space and end on Friday, 9 August 2024, with a public symposium and candlelight procession.

The organizers urged Nigerians to join the X Space event Wednesday and the public forum and candlelight procession on Friday.

In part, the statement read:

“We hereby urge all Nigerian people and youth who support the struggle against hunger and hardship…

“To do everything they can on a personal level to observe these three days of mourning, which may include wearing black attires as they go out…

“Putting up graphics of the movement on their social media profiles, as well as other individual acts to show solidarity with our fallen heroes.” 

Reason for declaring the mourning period

Due to the ongoing attacks, the organizers believe that the police and thugs are collaborating to silence their voices.

The statement continued:

“First, the Lagos State government and the Commissioner of Police have made it clear over the course of the past five days that despite assurances to the contrary…

“They are not in any way prepared to guarantee the right of peaceful protesters to assemble freely without molestation.

“This explains why, at any slight opportunity, the police at Ojota, as well as at Alausa, have surreptitiously allowed state-sponsored thugs to attack our members and injure them.

“This happened yet again on Monday, 5 August 2024, as the protest closed officially, when a band of thugs armed with various weapons descended on peaceful protesters under the watchful eyes of the police.

“The same thing happened earlier in the day at Alausa, Ikeja.

“In both incidents, not only did the police not stop the thugs, but police officers also actually participated actively in dispossessing our attacked members of their mobile phones and valuables.

“This was only the latest in a permanent cycle of low-scale yet scary violent attacks against us once a little chance presents itself.”

They condemned the unprovoked attacks on peaceful protesters and law-abiding Nigerians. 

They also demanded a public apology from the police and the return of all mobile phones and valuables stolen from protesters by the police, who were supposed to protect them.

Ojota has become unsafe for protesters, leading to a decision to re-strategize and explore alternative methods until day 10.

Victims of #EndBadGovernance protest

Ismail Mohammed: A soldier shot and killed the 16-year-old boy during the protest in Kaduna on August 6, 2024.

He was among the protesters in the Samaru community in Zaria, where the Nigerian Army intervened to disperse the crowd.

Authorities have arrested the soldier responsible for his death, and he is undergoing interrogation.

Chinedu Okeke: Security forces shot the 21-year-old university student during clashes in Abuja, On August 1, 2024,

He passionately engaged in community service and advocated for youth rights, gaining recognition for his activism.

Aisha Ibrahim: The 29-year-old nurse was aiding injured protesters in Kano when a stray bullet struck her, On August 3, 2024.

She earned recognition for dedicating herself to healthcare and community service.

Musa Abubakar: He was killed in Maiduguri, Borno State, on August 1, 2024. At 22 years old, Musa actively engaged in activism and community involvement as a university student.

Fatima Ibrahim: A 20-year-old woman killed in Suleja, Niger State on August 1, 2024. She was a student at the local polytechnic, studying business administration.

Hassan Bello: A 23-year-old resident of Kano, killed during the protests. He actively participated in local youth organizations, which made him well-known.

Zainab Usman: Security operatives killed the bride-to-be in Zaria, Kaduna State on August 7, 2024. She was preparing for her wedding in the coming months and was an active participant in community events.

Sani Musa: A 25-year-old protester killed in Bauchi on August 3, 2024.

He was a small business owner who actively participated in the protests due to the economic hardships his business faced.

These names represent just a few of the many who tragically lost their lives during the protests.

They highlight the widespread impact and the human cost of the demonstrations across Nigeria.

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