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Nationwide protests in Nigeria over economic hardships turned violent, leading to at least five deaths and hundreds of arrests.

What’s the deal: According to Nigerian officials, the protests have led to widespread looting and destruction of businesses and government buildings in major cities such as Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Abuja, Jigawa, and Niger. Amidst the chaos, a bomb exploded in Borno, killing four people and injuring 34 others.

Why are they protesting?: The protests have erupted in response to severe economic hardships exacerbated by recent reforms under President Bola Tinubu. People are particularly outraged by the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira, which have driven up living costs dramatically. Additionally, demonstrators are rallying against corruption and calling for better press freedom. Even though lawmakers have proposed raising the minimum wage, many citizens continue to voice their demands on the streets. Some have indicated that they became inspired by recent large-scale protests in Kenya, which resulted in significant concessions from the government.

How many arrests?: Local media outlets report that over 300 people were arrested as the demonstrations. In addition, some reports indicate that more than 70 people (including law enforcement) were injured. Security forces were actively engaged in managing the unrest, using measures like tear gas to control the crowds and prevent further violence

Condemnation from Human Rights Watch: According to Human Rights Watch, the Nigerian government is trying to suppress protests through violence. In a statement, the group said, “Rather than undermining the right to protest, authorities should address the underlying issues that are driving the protests. They should ensure that protests can occur safely and peacefully and people’s fundamental rights are respected.”