On the first day of #occupynigeria, young Nigerian protesters were cut off their intended venue by about 200 police & soldiers. 13 brave Nigerians slept on the side walks by d venue. Cup half full…
On the second day of #occupynigeria, we the protesters sang the national anthem to remind us of our unity and common goal. We simply camped and held up our placards with our slogans and demands. 20+ young Nigerians slept in the cold to make their voices heard.
On the third day of #occupynigeria, we grew in numbers and purpose. “No violence, no verbal exchanges, just let ur placard speak for you” was d advice we kept sharing. Every hour on the hour, we sang the national anthem and pledge. United we stood-resolute and asking the government to hear our cries.
On the fourth day of #occupynigeria, the Nigerian Police Force attacked us in our sleep. Armed with clubs, sticks & iron rods, IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT, slightly past 1am, about 12 police men snuck at us from different directions while we slept on our makeshift cots. 40+ innocent Nigerians men and women simply sitting on the sidewalk were beaten from sleep to a stupor. Groggy, confused, and startled we ran into the bush, into the streets and away from the danger. Screams, shouts and caos rang as blows landed on different individuals from different angles. Eventually, we realised some were hurt so we stopped at various spots and tried to regroup. Across the street, about 50 police men led by DSP. C.U Adejumo stood disinterested while we scrambled for our lives. Our attackers at that point started destroying our property, searching & scrambling through our possessions and picking electronic devices that could record. We immediately started looking for our remaining phones, camera’s and gadgets we hadn’t left behind to record the events as it happened. With renewed vigour and determination, we slowly made our way back and started demanding an explanation. They stood their ground trying to attack again but we kept our camera’s rolling. Inspired, about 5 of the #occupynigeria men gathered around and grabbed 2 of the men and dragged them to the police who were simply still watching the brutality. They collected them and released them right before our eyes to disappear into the night. We started making calls and kept camera’s rolling.
At 3:30am we sat around gathering proof we had and then a police car came driving slowly with about 10 cops in it. The next moment live shots went out and I lost my vision. Choking & panting, I fell and rolled down the valley behind me. It was like a 30min fall. I felt my bones smacking into the ground & trees as the dark tumble swallowed me. Head, leg, feet, neck…all smacked against stone & bricks as I said my last prayer…
I awoke to throbbing pain in my right knee. My glasses are gone, my eyes ablaze & breath laboured. My left pinkie feels like its gone. I slowly crawl up to the top of the hill guided only by the sounds of my brave friends valiantly singing the national anthem. I get there, we asses my scraps and injuries, take count of people, and return to our post. We sing the 1st two stanzas of the national anthem and the pledge.
I have now said my last prayer and I am ready to press send. A lot of my friends have done so too. As I sit here like a duck waiting for their last attack which will certainly be life ammunition, I steel my heart with final conviction and remember “if nigeria doesn’t change, it won’t be for my lack of effort”. The police have surrounded us and one looks at me, begging us to drive off. “We have been ordered to shoot and kill if u do no leave” he whispers
azeenarh 
I salute your courage. It is not empty and wouldnt be in vain. Please put your safety first.
God be with you. God be with us all.
i am just speechless… You and your friends are the real heroes of dis nation! God wil fortify you in dis struggle.
You won’t die. Lagos joins in the struggle today. We will protect our country. Vox populi, vox Dei
He can hav a strong hand against d masses? He dares?! Yet u c citizens stil supportin his rubbish? Has he shot n killd d boko haramists?! No cos he wld rather dey killd d masses! Its tym 4dis dictator 2return home
Dear God. Will be praying for you all!!!
[…] from the Azeenarh blog.PICTURE & VIDEO: Relax! There Are 1100 Buses At Your Disposal Tags: Fuel Subsidy, Nigeria, […]
Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable. Badluck has dug his grave to bury himself!
I read ur odeal in the hands of the ‘Marauding Beast’ of the Nigerian ‘Dictators’ with tears in my eyes. These beast are only gud @ torturin, maimin, setups, killin of innocent Nigerians. Boko Haram is daily growin in strenght and the ‘Security Apparatus’ are not doin anytin, only to clamp on peaceful protesters. Why won’t sum ppl take to violence with this type of behaviours by the Nigerian dictators? Badluck or ill-luck jonathan or whatever you are called know that if you don’t stop these brutality sum of us will surely resort to violence. Don’t deceive urself that you are save in the Villa coz sum of ur security are Patriotic Nigerians may surely kill you if need be. Be careful on this thorny path you are threadin bare-footed. May Allah SWT destroy all evil leaders and all evil plotters. For, “althou they plot and plan, Allah also plans and He is the best of planners”.
I’m in shock and lost for words!!!
*frowns*
OMG! OMG!!!! …what’s happening in this country please???? What is all this tho????? Nah. This cannot ever be justified!!!!!! Jeez!
God be with yall o! This is soome seroius ish!!! I’m praying with tears and on my knees for you guys. Nah mehn.. This guys have gone to far. Whooooot??????
Confused and outraged. I’ve been deluding myself all along, this isn’t a country ready to change. What’s the difference between this and Gen. Sani Abacha’s regime?
May this fight not contribute to the maiment or the loss of our innocent youths. Our prayers are with you all. #occupynigeria
Dear Sir/Ma,
Am deeply impressed with your fictitious article. U have succeeded in getting many people to believ this really happened. I only wondered why they didnt ask you where PRECISELY this happened and what your name really is and who were with you at the time of the incidence and lastly, why no news outfit except you carried it. Anyways, I maintain my stand that people pay attention to what they read and critically examine it before gulping it down their throats. Thanks.
This is outrageous,so sorry about dis ordeal,js to let you knw we are coming to join you gguys today.They will surely pay for their stupidity.
Our labour shall not be in vain. De can beat us,kick us,break us, disperse us but we will keep d faith n Ŧђe̶̲̥̅ spirit. #occupynigeria. No retreat no surrender
Those that are oppresing us in this country,theirselves whosoever may send them and their family will never knw peace in jesus name (amen) FIRE
Goodluck has put his hand in innocent blood..he is cursed for life!
This is it. Exactly why he is not qualified to lead. Shot ur own citizens?
You guys have been doing a great job. I believe we need to educate Nigerians more on the following occupyWISELY
occupyPEACEFULLY
occupyCALMLY
noBurning
noFighting
noStealing
noViolence
My reason being that if we do the above, the govt and police will be shocked that they can’t find anyone to bully or oppress…also as regards sleeping at night, maybe we can have shifts…some people sleep, while others keep watch then later the groups of people exchange…the sleeping ones will then keep watch while the watching ones now sleep…just like the accord between Christians and Muslims in the north.
Please remember to spread the word
occupyWISELY
occupyPEACEFULLY
occupyCALMLY
noBurning
noFighting
noStealing
noViolence
#mayGodhelpusall
Let me first commend the good job you are doing here via wordpress. I sympathize with you and your people who were attacked.
As a solution i would recommend that you and your people have shifts when it comes to sleeping. GroupA will sleep for 3 or 4 hours while GroupB watches. Then a swap is done for GroupB to sleep while GroupA keeps watch. It is clear that the government can not give us what is our right, talkless of what we want. So we should be our brothers keepers just like the Christians and Muslims in the north have been doing.
#occupyNigeria is a zero-violence event and as such i would also like us to continue to drum these key words out.
occupyWISELY
occupyPEACEFULLY
occupyCALMLY
noBurning
noFighting
noStealing
noViolence
WaIyyaUdhuuBillah.. Allah strengthen us all and save us from the hands of these oppressors …
Please Sister,stay alive.. We need this spirit in this nation.
We will win this fight ISA
#occupyNigeria
Where did this happen, please.
This is terrible, how dare they?! so angry right now.
The govt has no regard 4 it citizens,they don’t care about us so we shall henceforth fight 4 our fundermental human right.
Wateva d protest is meant 2 accomplish, its a step in d ryt direction. Wat Jonathan did is in d best intérest of nigerians. Bt, d timing ws wrong. I am pleading dat u bear wif & let’s c where dis removal of subsidy leads nigerians 2.
Keep up the good work till our voices are heard…we need a revolution in this country
Hearing this kind of information makes me so angry, how dare the so called government in Nigeria make such a decision knowing the implications to soceity, streetlights are not important if someone cannot eat, the government get fat off the back of the masses, yet the masses to them are nothing but expendable objects. The only way to beat this government is with solidarity and strength. We must unite together whether christian or muslim, igbo or youruba to stand for the common cause, Physical action is paramount, but we must not forget to pray and to pray without ceasing. Goodluck is there because we put him there, so therefore we must take it upon ourselves to remove him. ONE NIGERIA.
And to think that people voted this man in, believing he would bring them peace. This is how he pays them back. This is his idea of peace? This is sad….God help Nigerians.
I am so proud of you Azeenarh. You are an inspiration. I have told my entire family of my feeble link to you via Legal Aid CDS. We are all praying for you. Our efforts in this struggle will not be in a vain. Please try and stay safe as much as you possibly can. God be with you.
Oh my goodness!!! WTF??? I am sooo proud of you, and feel so ashamed of myself right now! May God reward your efforts! Jeeeezzzz!!! The Police is no one’s friend o!
Standing in solidarity with you all! Long live Nigeria!!!
Maybe I’m wrong, but can’t read this again now. Can’t see d name of d town it took place in. Or maybe I have to read your other posts and guess.
Wow! Your effort is really commendable. Can’t believe GEJ is getting away with this brutality. Meanwhile he seems to imagine boko haram to be less threatening than this
Dis is really awful, I am disappointed in the nigerian police. Despite the security situation in our country, people are taking bold steps to be on the street day and night protesting for their right, its a clear indication that nigerians have understood boko haram exist only in the govt not within us.
Kudos 2 nigerians. This is indeed a cause for change n unity. I pray that God continue to be our brothers keepers.
Who gave this shoot to kill order? This president has got to go… Him and his entire cabinet.
Hello @xeenarh, I saw on someone’s tweet that you were hurt…hope not too badly. Do take care and get well…whatever happens, don’t give up on the fight. History will remember you.
REMOVAL OF FUEL SUBSIDY: THE IMPASSE.
With each day that passes the crowd of protesters on the streets gain in their numbers as Nigerians troop in their thousands flooding the streets in the various states particularly, commercial nerve centers- Lagos and Abuja.
Day 4 of the strike protest bears testimony to this fact as Nigerians having taken to the streets remain on the streets and beckon (via electronic and print media) on those sitting it out to join in on the active, albeit peaceful protest against the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy which was prematurely removed by the Federal Government on the 1st of January, 2012.
Surprisingly the Federal Government has stuck to its guns, as have protesting Nigerians, ultimately leading to an impasse, as talks have neither commenced nor been suggested. The Government is confident of its stance and argues that the decision to withdraw the subsidy was carried out in the best interest of Nigerians, which though might seem harsh at first would yield bountiful fruits in the not too distant future. The Nigerian Government is resolute in its decision and bent on seeing it through. (Un) fortunately so are the Nigerians.
The Government has gone a step further to employ the “No work, No pay” rule in a bid to compel civil servants back to work. Thus far this strategy has failed to yield the desired result. As resolute as the Government is, it appears it has met its match in the Nigerians this time.
Nigerians have stood their grounds, neither budging nor giving grounds, an act (on both sides) which is perceived could lead to an economic crisis.
The Nigerian protesters are confident that this would not be “business as usual” as they gather in an unprecedented number each propelled by a common goal, which initially started off as a cry against the subsidy removal but has swiftly metamorphose into a one for good government, accountability and matters ancillary thereto.
Prior to the mass protests, the Nigerian government was experiencing overwhelming challenges in the area of security particularly with the wanton destruction of lives and property by the Islamist Boko Haram Sect and now it is further saddled with a nationwide protest against the fuel subsidy thus leaving the Nigerian government plummeted from all sides not to mention erstwhile challenges it has to deal with like education, health, infrastructure, transportation, implementation of minimum wage et al.
Some analysts believe these are the elementary steps to a possible Civil War.
The controversial method adopted by the Government in the removal of fuel subsidy caused labor and other unions embark on a nationwide strike with overwhelming support from a majority of Nigerians. Most Nigerians which live below the poverty line of less than $2 a day clearly have stood against the removal of the subsidy which inevitably translates into an overnight exponential increase in the cost of food products and transportation costs to mention a few.
While many consider the removal as ill timed and insensitive on the part of the government with specific reference to President Good luck Ebele Jonathan, others view it as just another means of looting the already ravaged treasury, both instances Nigerians are indisposed to accept.
These protests which have largely been peaceful have also recorded its casualties as Police and protesters have had a run in in different parts of the country. Records have it that in some states Police attacked the protesters with live ammunition and tear gas leaving behind multiple deaths in their wake.
At various times Police authorities have either refuted these allegations claiming that the group which confronted them were not peaceful protesters but “miscreants and drug addicts” with ulterior motives and intentions which had to be quelled or outrightly failed to comment at all.
Most Nigerians have either actively or passively been involved in the nationwide strike, for those who choose not to take to the streets, they quietly remained in their homes, thus rendering major cities which normally are a hub of activities into ghost towns. Businesses, schools, ministries, shops, offices, fuel stations and airports have all been shut down consequently bringing the country to a complete standstill.
One of the groups staging the nationwide strike, National Labour Congress (NLC) has declared that it would not hold talks with the federal government unless and until the fuel returns to its original price of N65 per liter as opposed to the overnight jacked up price of N135 per liter (a direct consequence of the removal of subsidy)
Allegations and counter allegations have rent the air as NLC has been accused of negotiating with the Federal Government, a line of action which Nigerians clearly do not intend to purse considering how brazenly the latter has rescinded on its numerous promises over time, the latest which is the minimum wage implementation upon which it has attained a terrible reputation of distrust from the citizenry.
On some other quarter, the NLC had been accused of being fuelled by oil marketers to engage in the strike. NLC has clearly and emphatically denied both allegations and have voiced their commitment to join and remain in the cause of the Nigerian people. These allegations cannot however be ascertained but astonishingly Nigerians have committed themselves to the ‘national cause” than be deterred by these allegations.
In the meantime various industrial groups which openly declared their resolve and willingness to join have indeed continued on with the mass protest accompanied by several other groups against the fuel subsidy removal. Among these groups are the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Bar Association (NBA), the 3 unions in the aviation sector, Road Transport Unions, Youths and Civil Society Groups and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
Analysts do not perceive of the fuel subsidy removal as a very brilliant step taking into account the already existing rising religious violence and tension in the North, the separatist movement in the South which jointly already seems to overwhelm the Nigerian Government. The nationwide strike would doubtless complicate an already delicate and compromised system.
“One would have thought that in an area of heightened religious conflict that the last thing you would want to do is provoke a general strike,” said Campbell, a senior fellow for Africa Policy Studies with the Council on Foreign Relations.
Interestingly the removal of subsidy on petrol which necessitated the declaration of a nationwide strike action has sparked off a new sense of enlightenment, valor and oneness among the ordinary Nigerian citizens. Their cries are no longer on the solitary issue of fuel subsidy (which has served as a spring board) but against several others like injustice, unfairness and inequitable measures meted out on the vast majority by the elite class which consists of less than 1% of the entire population.
As Day 1 gradually paves way for Day 2, 3 and 4, the throng of protesters found and built up confidence in their numbers as anger wells in the hearts of protesters in response to the new fuel price and the overnight increment of goods and services by 100%.
Law enforcement agencies in Lagos, it is reported, stood by and watched helplessly as some protesters vent their grievances by chanting anti-government and incendiary slogans while barricading thoroughfares with tyres which were set alight.
Various states in the Federation witnessed varying degrees of violence and unrests as protesters sufficiently outnumbered law enforcement agencies. Government’s use of force to control demonstrators left many dead and several others injured
And as the days roll by the death toll increases.
The President and Labour Unions are ideologically diametrically opposed on the removal of the fuel subsidy which caused the commodity to more than double in a single day trickling down to every other product and services in the country.
While the President has reiterated Government’s stance on a no-going-back policy, organized Labour has vowed to maintain strike actions until the subsidy is reintroduced into the system.
The President argues that it was a tough call for him to make but for the provision of infrastructure, social programs and protection of the national economy, the subsidy was the alternative forgone.
Labour identifies the subsidy as one of the very few benefits enjoyed by the average Nigerian (from a nation which is one of the highest oil producing nations in the world) who lives on less than $2 a day.
While some protesters single out and face squarely the subsidy removal issue individually and headlong, several others identify corruption as the real bane of the nation’s problems of which subsidy removal is one of its by-product.
Ukuwelah Oghie.
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