The Ikeja Underbridge section of Lagos State has become the epicentre of a significant protest today, as citizens took to the streets to express their frustrations over the skyrocketing cost of living, rampant inflation, and escalating insecurity in Nigeria.
The protest coincides with Nigeria’s Democracy Day, celebrated annually on June 12, adding a symbolic weight to the demonstrators’ demands for better governance and economic stability.
By mid-morning, a diverse crowd of protesters had gathered, wielding placards and chanting slogans that called for urgent government action.
The atmosphere, initially charged with determination, quickly attracted a substantial security presence. The deployment included police units, anti-riot squads, and other security agencies, resulting in a tense standoff between the protesters and law enforcement officers.
The protest’s timing on Democracy Day underscores the demonstrators’ plea for accountability and transparency from the government.
Democracy Day marks the anniversary of the historic June 12, 1993, elections, widely regarded as Nigeria’s fairest electoral process, which were annulled by the military regime at the time.