ABUJA – Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for an end to ongoing protests against the high cost of living and escalating violence, following the deaths of at least 13 demonstrators, according to Amnesty International.

According to Burkina Information Agency, President Tinubu made his appeal during a televised speech on Sunday, his first since the protests began last week. Thousands of Nigerians had taken to the streets on Thursday and Friday, voicing their frustrations over what they describe as “bad governance” and sharp increases in living costs, exacerbated by economic reforms initiated since Tinubu took office in May 2023. Amid these reforms, food inflation has soared past 40% and gasoline prices have tripled.

“I heard you clearly. I understand the pain and frustration that motivate these demonstrations,” Tinubu stated, urging protesters to cease further actions and engage in dialogue. He emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing citizens’ concerns but cautioned against the violence and destruction that he claimed threatened national unity.

Amnesty International highlighted that at least 13 people were killed by police during the protests, a figure disputed by police authorities who acknowledged only seven deaths and denied any wrongdoing. Amnesty’s report on X accused security forces of using lethal tactics against protesters, exacerbating the situation.

Despite the president’s call for peace, leaders of the protest, composed of various civil society groups, pledged to persist with their demonstrations. Damilare Adenola, a prominent activist and leader of the Take It Back movement, expressed that the forceful dispersion of protesters in Abuja only fueled their determination to continue.