08
Nov 2020
13:50 UTC
Nigeria Tactical: Youth organizers call for renewed #EndSARS protest outside CBN headquarters in Abuja on November 9; avoid nonessential travel
Please be advised
- According to posts by youth activists under the #EndSARS banner, organizers are calling for protests to take place on November 9 outside the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters in Abuja. The exact time is unspecified as of writing.
- The protest is reportedly intended to condemn a decision by the Federal High Court in Abuja and the CBN to freeze the bank accounts of 20 key figures within the #EndSARS movement for a period of 90 days as a disciplinary measure.
- Separately, according to official statements released by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in Abuja on November 7, police forces will not tolerate the resurgence of violent protests and officers are authorized to use “legitimate force” against any violent individual or group and to suppress “riots, insurrection, or mutiny.”
Assessments & Forecast
- This slated protest comes after a brief lull in #EndSARS demonstrations in Abuja with the most recent action having taken place on November 1 outside Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. However, with consultations between the government and protest organizers beginning to stall over the continued arrests of journalists and demonstrators in Abuja and Lagos in recent days and the CBN’s latest efforts to target prominent #EndSARS activists, it appears that mounting frustrations among youth organizers have resulted in renewed calls for mobilization.
- This notably comes amid a sudden policy shift by the IGP, in which police are once again legally authorized to use forcible measures against any individual or group deemed to be taking part in violent activities. This is striking given that the #EndSARS movement was initially created to denounce the excessive use of force and police brutality against civilians, specifically carried out by the now defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit, and that the IGP only recently restricted the use of force by police in an effort to defuse the near-daily protests across the country.
- FORECAST: Despite the recent slowdown of #EndSARS protests across the country, the latest decision by the CBN has led to widespread outrage among activists and could contribute to a high level of participation at the slated protest. However, given the IGP’s recent announcement and the police response witnessed during previous demonstrations, any mobilization in Abuja will likely face harsh security crackdowns. Within this context, police are liable to use tear gas and arrests to disperse crowns in the vicinity of the CBN headquarters, which in turn could result in scuffles between security forces and demonstrators. This is also expected to cause traffic disruptions in the vicinity of the CBN headquarters in Abuja throughout the day.
Recommendations
- hose operating or residing in Abuja on November 9 are advised to avoid nonessential travel to the vicinity of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters due to the slated #EndSARS protest and its associated potential for unrest.
- Those operating in Nigeria and specifically in Lagos and Abuja are advised to consult with us at [email protected] or +44 20-3540-0434 for support.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
High
AFFECTED AREA
Abuja, Nigeria
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Please be advised
- According to posts by youth activists under the #EndSARS banner, organizers are calling for protests to take place on November 9 outside the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters in Abuja. The exact time is unspecified as of writing.
- The protest is reportedly intended to condemn a decision by the Federal High Court in Abuja and the CBN to freeze the bank accounts of 20 key figures within the #EndSARS movement for a period of 90 days as a disciplinary measure.
- Separately, according to official statements released by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in Abuja on November 7, police forces will not tolerate the resurgence of violent protests and officers are authorized to use “legitimate force” against any violent individual or group and to suppress “riots, insurrection, or mutiny.”
Assessments & Forecast
- This slated protest comes after a brief lull in #EndSARS demonstrations in Abuja with the most recent action having taken place on November 1 outside Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. However, with consultations between the government and protest organizers beginning to stall over the continued arrests of journalists and demonstrators in Abuja and Lagos in recent days and the CBN’s latest efforts to target prominent #EndSARS activists, it appears that mounting frustrations among youth organizers have resulted in renewed calls for mobilization.
- This notably comes amid a sudden policy shift by the IGP, in which police are once again legally authorized to use forcible measures against any individual or group deemed to be taking part in violent activities. This is striking given that the #EndSARS movement was initially created to denounce the excessive use of force and police brutality against civilians, specifically carried out by the now defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) police unit, and that the IGP only recently restricted the use of force by police in an effort to defuse the near-daily protests across the country.
- FORECAST: Despite the recent slowdown of #EndSARS protests across the country, the latest decision by the CBN has led to widespread outrage among activists and could contribute to a high level of participation at the slated protest. However, given the IGP’s recent announcement and the police response witnessed during previous demonstrations, any mobilization in Abuja will likely face harsh security crackdowns. Within this context, police are liable to use tear gas and arrests to disperse crowns in the vicinity of the CBN headquarters, which in turn could result in scuffles between security forces and demonstrators. This is also expected to cause traffic disruptions in the vicinity of the CBN headquarters in Abuja throughout the day.
Recommendations
- hose operating or residing in Abuja on November 9 are advised to avoid nonessential travel to the vicinity of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) headquarters due to the slated #EndSARS protest and its associated potential for unrest.
- Those operating in Nigeria and specifically in Lagos and Abuja are advised to consult with us at [email protected] or +44 20-3540-0434 for support.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
High
AFFECTED AREA
Abuja, Nigeria
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Related Reports
Nigeria
-
Service FailureNigeria Tactical: Ongoing power shortages due to collapse of national grid on April 15; allot for disruptions -
ProtestNigeria Tactical: Diaspora group calls for protest marches near US, UK diplomatic missions in Abuja, Lagos on March 19; maintain heightened vigilance -
Civil UnrestNigeria Tactical: Ongoing unrest at Wuse market in Abuja on March 12; avoid nonessential travel -
HolidayAfrica Tactical: Ramadan to be observed across continent from March 10 to April 8; maintain heightened vigilance
Related Reports
Nigeria
-
Service FailureNigeria Tactical: Ongoing power shortages due to collapse of national grid on April 15; allot for disruptions
-
ProtestNigeria Tactical: Diaspora group calls for protest marches near US, UK diplomatic missions in Abuja, Lagos on March 19; maintain heightened vigilance
-
Civil UnrestNigeria Tactical: Ongoing unrest at Wuse market in Abuja on March 12; avoid nonessential travel
-
HolidayAfrica Tactical: Ramadan to be observed across continent from March 10 to April 8; maintain heightened vigilance