Residents of Minna, the Niger State capital have taken to the street to protest high cost of living in the country, blocking major roads within the metropolis. Police officers were in the early hours seen throwing tear gas in the air in an attempt to disperse demonstrators.
But attempts by the police to manage the swelling crowd nearly led to a confrontation, with protesters demanding the officers vacate the location.
The protesters primarily composed of women were heard chanting protest songs, took to the Minna-Bida Road at the Kpakungu roundabout, voicing their frustrations over the soaring prices of food items. The situation intensified as men joined the demonstration, effectively halting vehicular movement along the road while security agents including policemen looked on.
According to Ibrahim Gana, a participant in the protest the cost of basic staples has skyrocketed, with rice now priced at N2,000 per mudu and maize at N1,000 per measure in Minna markets.
Similarly, in Kano’s Singer Market, the price of a 50kg bag of sugar has surged to N73,000 from N62,000 in early January, reflecting a nationwide trend of increasing food prices that has added to the economic strain on citizens.
He said, “The Federal Government needs to take action to reduce the hardship being faced by the poor Nigerians. Things are becoming unbearable.”
The deputy governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, while addressing the protesters, said the government is aware of the pain and hardship families are faced with at this time. He said the government is working towards reducing the cost of living and consequences of the petrol subsidy removal.