The Nigerian federal government has placed sponsors of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests on a watchlist, as announced by Kemi Nandap, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), on August 6, 2024.
This decision follows a strategic meeting led by Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, aimed at implementing President Bola Tinubu’s crackdown order on protest organizers.
Nandap stated that individuals identified as sponsors, particularly those residing in the diaspora, will be arrested upon their return to Nigeria. She emphasized that the NIS has enhanced surveillance and deployed additional officers to airports and land borders to monitor entry points effectively.
The government has also taken steps to freeze the bank accounts of these sponsors and is collaborating with the Department of State Services (DSS) to track their activities. DSS Director-General Yusuf Bichi confirmed that some sponsors have been identified, although he refrained from disclosing further details.
This crackdown comes amid ongoing protests against economic hardship and demands for political reforms, which have seen violent clashes in various regions, particularly in northern Nigeria. The government’s actions are expected to draw criticism from human rights organizations concerned about the handling of the protests and the implications for civil liberties.