Teenager in Viral #EndBadGovernance Protest Photo Stands in Front of Moving Police Van: ‘Hunger Pushed Me, Not Fear of Arrest

Bashir Tijjani, a tennage boy from Maiduguri, Borno State, stood unwaveringly in front of a moving police van, his bravery resonating with Nigerians nationwide.

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A powerful image emerged on the first day of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, capturing a teenage boy’s fearless defiance in the face of authority.

Bashir Tijjani, a tennage boy from Maiduguri, Borno State, stood unwaveringly in front of a moving police van, his bravery resonating with Nigerians nationwide.

As the photo went viral, it symbolised the widespread frustration and desperation of a population struggling to survive amidst crippling hunger and soaring living costs, despite the heavy police presence.

He explained his motivation in a video posted by Arewa Blog, saying, “I came out to protest because of hunger, the government’s inability to provide jobs, and I was not afraid of been arrested by the police.”

The protests, which began on August 1, 2024, are driven by widespread dissatisfaction with economic conditions and growing discontent with President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The demonstrations are planned to last for 10 days.

In response to the unrest, the Borno State government earlier imposed a 24-hour curfew.

ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, Public Relations Officer for the state police command, announced the curfew on Thursday to contain the protests.

The curfew was later relaxed