As the crisis continues in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari spoke this Friday 23. October with his predecessors, including Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo, during a virtual meeting.
as reported from Abuja, Liza Fabbian
According to the press release from the Nigerian presidency, the head of state once again lamented that the youth demonstrations had been “hijacked” by “thugs” and “gradually became violent”. Let us remember that observers and protesters rather believe that it is the authorities who paid and armed gang thugs to break their movement and justify its repression.
During this meeting, which was also attended by the leaders of the Nigerian security agencies, Muhammadu Buhari once again reminded that he responded to the demands of the protests by, among other things, promising a reform of the police. “Unfortunately, (these) refused to stop their demonstrations and dialogue with the government,” lamented the Nigerian head of state, who still has did not say a single word about the bloody intervention of the Army Tuesday night in Lagos.
►To read: Nigeria: after a “bloody Tuesday”, violence continues in Lagos
This meeting was apparently intended to show the support of former heads of state. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who invited the president to speak on Wednesday, congratulated Muhammadu Buhari on his “speech last night.” Your “arguments were fair and deserve to be greeted,” especially he declared.
Curfew is eased in Lagos
Several states in Nigeria have been shaken by violence, looting, fires and riots since the beginning of the week, but this Friday night in Lagos, the situation seems to be calming down. Police have regained control of many axes that were previously occupied by wild roadblocks, although the airport road is still difficult to cross.
The curfew, which was passed in the city on Tuesday, will be eased from Saturday between kl. 8 and at. Traffic restrictions still apply in many states in the southern half of Nigeria.
Since Thursday, several hangars containing food for families affected by the coronavirus crisis have been looted in Lagos, Calabar and in the states of Ondo and Kwara.
►Also to listen: Nigeria: an unprecedented challenge
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