Here are ways protest participants can protect themselves and avoid violence
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A massive nationwide protest begins today, expected to last till August 10, to mark the “days of rage” against hunger inflicted on citizens by Bola Tinubu after he succeeded in his plan to “snatch, grab, and run” with the title of President to achieve state capture.
Tinubu has deployed his official security forces as well as his private army of hoodlums to hover around for any opportunity to hijack the peaceful protest, unleash violence, arrest, and possibly kill, in his desire to remain an autocrat and keep on wasting national resources.
His hired thugs in Lagos (carried over from his days as Governor) went round the city on Wednesday openly brandishing weapons and threatening market traders not to allow their children join the protest.
Section 40 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to assemble freely and associate with others, which both Tinubu and his official security chiefs acknowledge, but the man has not given cause for Nigerians to trust him.
Below are 10 ways protest participants can protect themselves against seen and unseen danger and traps that can derail their plan.
1. Know the reason for protest
Know why you are protesting. If you plan to join any protest, you must not be caught off-guard on why you joined in the first place.
2. Assemble before marching
Know the assembly point before protest begins, and familiarise yourself with all possible routes throughout the protest.
3. Keep an ID on you
Keep your identity card with you.
4. Take along food and water
Take enough water along with you in a bag to drink and stay dehydrated, and have snack foods in your bag to eat.
5. Safeguards for health challenges
If you have asthma, take your inhaler along.
Use a nose mask in case security operatives fire tear gas. Keep a hand sanitiser in your bag and use at intervals.
6. Wear light clothes
Wear light clothes and sneakers to ease your movement.
7. Mobile phone. Power bank. Airtime
Keep your mobile phone fully charged and also have a power bank. Have enough airtime on your line(s).
8. Stay alert
It is safe to stay in groups, but you should also be wary of people and activities around you. Stay alert always.
9. Obey protest organisers’ directives
Obey protest organisers and leaders. Do not go against their directives.
10. Do not taunt security personnel
Do not taunt any security personnel just because you have the constitutional right to protest.
Security operatives are licensed to kill. Avoid anything that may trigger them to open fire at you.
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Related articles:
Tinubu’s aide describes him as “corrupt … a man covered with deceit” in old tweet dug up by netizens
Verydarkman tells Tinubu’s daughter, “Warn your father, tell him that Nigerians are suffering”
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