Men of the Nigerian Police have fired tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters in Lagos and the nation’s capital, Abuja, with reports of arrests and injuries.

Activists had called for nationwide protests for Saturday, June 12 which is Nigeria’s Democracy Day. June 12 marks Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule more than 20 years ago.

Civil society and other groups have been critical of the nation’s incumbent government over perceived inability to handle rising  insecurity and current economic downturn. Government critics are also  unhappy over  the recent Twitter ban by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Today, there were  huge protest marches in the cities of Ibadan, Osogbo, Abeokuta and Akure, all in southwestern Nigeria.

The protests were the first to take place simultaneously in several cities since the #EndSARS protests against police brutality in October last year.