~ by Godwin Orozo
Political elites opposed to the Tinubu administration are suspected of sponsoring and mobilizing groups of mostly non-literate boys who roamed various parts of Abuja on Thursday, August 1.
Despite the protests, the intimidating presence of armed security personnel at strategic locations and the apparent disinterest of civil servants and civil society organizations kept most parts of Abuja calm.
Civil society organizations, students, and well-informed activists were notably absent, particularly at the Unity Fountain near the Transcorp-Hilton hotel, a frequent site of past public protests, including the ‘Bring-Back-Chibok-Girls’ movement.
Some of the youths, carrying tree branches and shouting ‘Ba mu so’ (Hausa for ‘We don’t want’), appeared unaware of the true motivations behind their mobilization. They seemed confused about the issues being protested, with some focusing on harassing passing motorists for ‘pure water moni’ to quench their thirst and hunger.
Calm prevailed in apartment blocks and estates in Wuse and Maitama, largely occupied by civil servants and private sector employees. Many families turned the first day of the ten-day protest into a day of rest, with most people staying indoors. As a result, peace prevailed across Abuja on Thursday.
