Nigerian president calls for end to protests against high cost of living

Ouagadougou: Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday called for an end to protests against the high cost of living in Africa's most populous country and an end to "bloodshed" after at least 13 demonstrators were killed by the law enforcement, according to Amnesty International. Thousands of people demonstrated Thursday and Friday against 'bad governance' and the rising cost of living in Nigeria which is going through a serious economic crisis, following reforms put in place by President Tinubu, who came to power in May 2023. Food inflation exceeds 40% and the price of gasoline has tripled.'I heard you clearly. I understand the pain and frustration that motivate these demonstrations,' said the head of state in a televised speech, his first public speech since the start of the demonstrations last week.He urged protesters to 'suspend any further protests and create space for dialogue.' 'I assure you that our government is committed to listening and responding to the concerns of our fellow citizens,' h e added.'But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart,' he warned, before adding: 'We must end the bloodshed, violence and destruction.'If Amnesty International mentions at least 13 demonstrators killed by the police, the police say that seven people died and deny any responsibility.'Our evidence, at this stage, shows that where there were deaths, members of the security forces deliberately used tactics aimed at killing as they faced gatherings of people denouncing hunger and great poverty,' Amnesty wrote in a statement published on X.The organizers of the protests, an informal coalition of civil society groups, have vowed to continue their actions in the coming days despite warnings from authorities.'We were unceremoniously dispersed, but I think that only strengthened our resolve,' Damilare Adenola, 29, an activist and leader of the human rights group Take It Back, said in Abuja. THE ").Source: Burkina Information Agency