Civil society organisations in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, staged a public demonstration on Sunday to draw global attention to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Chanting slogans and holding placards with messages like “Freedom for Gaza,” “The Palestinian people are not alone,” and “Stop the genocide,” the protesters condemned the ongoing violence and appealed for swift international intervention.
Abdul Waheed Atoyebi, director of the Muslim International Association for Outreach (MAI), described the situation in Gaza as a deliberate humanitarian catastrophe. He urged African governments and the broader international community to take immediate steps toward ending the tragedy.
Qasim Akinloye, director of the Al-Quds Foundation, criticised the United States for its military and diplomatic support of Israel, claiming it has adopted “a biased and unjust stance that fuels the suffering of Palestinian civilians.” He also called on religious leaders and everyday citizens to speak out and take a stand, emphasising the moral responsibility shared across faiths and nations.
The protest comes amid ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip, where, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 60,000 people have been killed and nearly 150,000 injured since the conflict reignited on October 7, 2023.
Protesters also highlighted the growing toll of hunger-related deaths in the region, with 175 fatalities, including 93 children, reported due to extreme food shortages and restricted humanitarian aid access.
The demonstrators urged world leaders to prioritise the protection of civilians and ensure unimpeded delivery of aid to Gaza.
