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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) \u2014 Nigeria\u2019s leader on Sunday called for an end to mass protests<\/a> over economic hardship, saying the rallies have turned violent<\/a> and blaming \u201ca few with a political agenda\u201d for driving them.<\/p>\n The protests, which began Thursday, have been accompanied by reports of looting and vandalism, as well as accusations that security forces have used excessive force. Amnesty International has reported the deaths of nine protesters in clashes with police, while another four were killed by a bomb. The Nigerian police denied the Amnesty report.<\/p>\n \u201cI have heard you loud and clear,\u201d President Bola Tinubu<\/a><\/span><\/span> said in his first public remarks on the demonstrations. \u201cI understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n But, he said, \u201ca few with a clear political agenda to tear this nation apart\u201d would be resisted by security forces.<\/p>\n The protests reflect frustration with the worst cost-of-living crisis<\/a> in a generation and accusations of misgovernment and corruption in Africa\u2019s most populous country, a top oil producer where public officials\u2019 huge earnings<\/a> contrast with high poverty and hunger levels.<\/p>\n Tinubu\u2019s aides have said the protests are politically motivated. His election last year was disputed by the opposition, after he won with 37% of the vote, the smallest margin of any Nigerian president ever. The election also recorded the lowest turnout since 1999, when the country returned to democracy.<\/p>\n The protesters have also been inspired by other young people in Kenya who held rallies last month to oppose<\/a> a planned tax hike.<\/p>\n The Nigerian leader said that his government \u201cwill not stand idly\u201d and allow the looting reported in the past days to continue.<\/p>\n \u201cUnder the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organizers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The military has also threatened to intervene to quell violence.<\/p>\n Tinubu defended the audacious reforms<\/a> that were supposed to save the government money and shore up dwindling foreign investment, but whose immediate impact has added to hardships.<\/p>\n The reforms, including the suspension of decades-old gas subsidies and currency devaluation<\/a>, have had a knock-on effect on the price of just about everything else because they’ve been poorly implemented, analysts say.<\/p>\n \u201cThe economy is recovering; please, don\u2019t shut out its oxygen,\u201d Tinubu said.<\/p>\n In a region that has witnessed rampant military coups<\/a> off the back of popular discontent with democratically elected governments, the Nigerian leader warned the protests could also threaten the country\u2019s democracy.<\/p>\n “Forward ever, backward never!” he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n