Essiet based her statement on her visits to Nyanya, Karu, Orozo, and Karishi, where she observed that hoodlums had disrupted the protest in Abuja. She also noted that no protests had occurred in Kogi, Kwara, and Benue States.

Essiet shared her observations on her X handle as the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest entered its third day. She wrote, “Today, I visited Zone A, AMAC (Nyanya, Karu, Orozo, and Karishi) in Abuja, FCT, to monitor the situation and engage with community leaders and police. People have resumed their normal daily activities.

Since the protests began, my office has launched an online situation room for volunteers across North Central to report on-ground situations. Kogi, Kwara, and Benue have remained peaceful with no protests. Jos had a peaceful protest. The protest in Abuja was infiltrated by hoodlums.”

Meanwhile, Amnesty International (AI) accused the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command of using teargas and firearms on unarmed protesters, contributing to the chaos in Abuja. AI claimed that police used excessive force against peaceful protesters at Moshood Abiola Stadium, arresting 50 individuals.

AI demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the arrested protesters and condemned the use of deadly force on individuals protesting against hunger in the FCT. “The Nigerian authorities must immediately end the ongoing violent crackdown on peaceful protesters at Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja. The over 50 peaceful protesters arbitrarily arrested across the FCT must be released immediately and unconditionally.

“The shocking and unconscionable use of deadly force on protesters against hunger in the FCT is unacceptable. Those responsible must be held accountable. People have the right to peacefully demand accountability through protests, and this right must be respected,” AI said.