The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has urged the Nigerian government to reverse the removal of the fuel subsidy.

In a statement released on Sunday by CDHR President Debo Adeniran and Publicity Secretary Idris Olayinka, the organization made this call in response to the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests across the country.

The protests, which have persisted for four days, prompted President Bola Tinubu to address the nation on Sunday morning. In his speech, he acknowledged the concerns of the youth and urged them to suspend the demonstrations and engage in dialogue.

In their assessment of the president’s address, the CDHR criticized the lack of specific timelines for implementing the promises made by the government. The organization pointed out that the president focused on the administration’s achievements, which, according to them, “have not been genuinely felt by the Nigerian people.”

“The CDHR charges the Federal Government to provide clear timelines for the fulfillment of the proposed promises to alleviate the living conditions of Nigerians,” the statement read. “The CDHR demands the immediate reversal of the petroleum fuel subsidy removal, which has led the country into hyperinflationary conditions. The organization also calls on the FG to address all corrupt practices associated with the subsidy. Additionally, the recent hike in electricity tariffs should be reversed to enable many businesses to resume production.”

The CDHR also criticized the government’s student loan scheme, deeming it insufficient to address the issue of underfunded education. “The government should instead identify eligible indigent students and provide them with grants and scholarships to support their education and sustenance, as is common in most civilized countries. The loans offered to SMEs should be more flexible, interest-free, and feature easy repayment mechanisms,” they suggested.

Moreover, the CDHR called for an investigation into all human rights violations that have occurred during the ongoing protests, urging the government to bring the perpetrators to justice and compensate the victims adequately. The organization also advised protest leaders and participants to avoid violence and the destruction of public and private property.

The protests have seen a range of reactions and incidents. In Abuja, journalists and protesters were arrested on Saturday, the third day of the demonstrations. Security forces reportedly fired shots and teargas, forcing journalists to flee, with one Premium Times reporter’s vehicle being hit by bullets. In Lagos, while the state government described the protest as peaceful, videos surfaced showing protesters being chased by hoodlums in Ojota on Sunday morning, shortly after President Tinubu’s address.

Over the weekend, a video circulated online showing a protester being struck on the head by a hoodlum during a live interview. The protests have also been marred by reports of looting in Kano, Kaduna, and other northern regions, prompting police efforts to apprehend the culprits and recover stolen items.

The police reported on Saturday that a total of 681 individuals had been arrested for various offenses committed between Thursday and Friday. Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi stated that seven people had died during the protests, in contrast to a higher casualty figure reported by Amnesty International.