Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights lawyer, on Tuesday accused the Nigerian government of unleashing violence on historic #Endsars protesters in 2020.

Speaking on Channel TV on Tuesday evening, Mr Falana warned that the government must not use similar tactics as citizens prepare for another wave of protests in August.

“The violence that characterised the end of the #EndSARS protest was instigated, fuelled and sponsored by the government,” Mr Falana said. “The government decided to unleash hoodlums and thugs on the young people. When that did not work, the government sent troops and soldiers to engage in the killing of young people.”

“So, this time around, the government should try to identify the leaders of the movement and then engage them, and then the questions be raised. There are demands that are being made, and the government should address these demands,” he said.

Mr Falana’s remarks come in the run-up to planned nationwide demonstrations in August, elicited by economic hardships worsened by soaring food prices.

The senior lawyer advised the 36 state governors to disclose their plans to mitigate citizens’ suffering as the cost of living continues to rise nationwide.

“Between now and the first of August is still a long way and I understand the government is going to address the nation. It is also important for governors to really come out and let the people know what they are doing to address hardship in the country, which nobody is denying,” he stated.

Surging food prices nationwide have intensified scrutiny of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies both domestically and internationally.