What Really Happened at the Abuja Protest Yesterday? Eyewitnesses Speak Out Yesterday’s protest in Abuja wasn’t just another street gatheri...

What Really Happened at the Abuja Protest Yesterday? Eyewitnesses Speak Out

Yesterday’s protest in Abuja wasn’t just another street gathering.
It was loud, tense, and emotional — and if you weren’t there, you probably don’t know the full story.

Forget the headlines. Here’s what really happened — from those who saw it all unfold.

🔥 What Sparked the Protest?

It started with a viral tweet.
A leaked memo about lawmakers getting ₦160 million each as “welfare” while minimum wage remains untouched caused instant outrage online.

By 10 a.m., hundreds were at Unity Fountain, holding signs that read:

• “Fix the country, not your pockets!”
• “We are hungry, not lazy!”
• “Na who minimum wage help?”

👮 What About Police Presence?

By 11:30 a.m., riot police showed up — full gear, shields, and tear gas canisters.

Eyewitness Fatima Musa shared:

“They formed a wall between us and the National Assembly. It was peaceful until someone threw a bottle.”

That bottle changed everything.

😡 Chaos Erupted

• Police fired tear gas.
• Protesters scattered, choking and crying.
• Some ran into nearby shops, coughing blood.
• One man collapsed by the sidewalk and had to be rushed to a private clinic.

“I thought I would die,” said Aliyu, a protester from Kubwa.
“But we had to speak out. Enough is enough.”

🎤 Who Spoke Up?

Notable activists like Aisha Yusuf and rapper Lil Hakeem joined the protest.
They called for:

• Immediate review of national salaries
• An end to political misuse of public funds
• Protection for peaceful protesters

Lil Hakeem told reporters:

“The streets are angry. We can't rap about Bentley and champagne when our fans can't even afford rice.”

🤐 Media Blackout?

Mainstream TV stations barely covered the event.
Instead, footage and live updates came from Twitter Spaces, Instagram Lives, and TikTok streams.

“We don’t need NTA to tell our story anymore,” said Chuks, a student protester.

💬 What Happens Next?

Organizers say this is just the beginning.
Another protest is planned for next week — but this time in three different cities.

Will the government respond?
Or will the people return to the streets stronger?

Target:

• Abuja protest today 2025
• What happened at Abuja protest
• Eyewitness Abuja demonstration
• Tear gas at Nigerian protest
• Youth protest in Nigeria May 2025