Food hike: Niger govt orders release of protest organiser, Aisha Jibrin, 24 others

The Niger State Government has ordered the release of Aisha Jibrin, the initiator of the violent protest against the hike in prices of food items that erupted in Minna metropolis on Monday.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Hajiya Binta Manmman, stated this while speaking to journalists on Thursday in Minna.

The Nigerian Tribune noted that the Niger State Police Command had, on Wednesday, issued a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, PRO, Wasiu Abiodun, of the arrest of Aisha Jibrin and 24 others over alleged major obstruction on the highway that deprived motorists, travellers, and other road users from gaining access to attend to their lawful businesses.

The rioting group, in large numbers, mobilised themselves and blocked Minna-Bida highways and the Kpakungu roundabout in protest against the increase in food items on Monday.

She said the state government, after conducting its findings, had exonerated the 57-year-old mastermind of the riot of any wrongdoing.

According to her, “All of those arrested by the police, along with the initiator, Aisha Jibrin, have been released on bail. We apologise to the family of Aisha and others for the arrest.”

She also explained that the state government was concerned about the sufferings of residents of the state, adding that the administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago was not resting on its oars as drastic measures would soon be adopted to address their plights.

The commissioner specifically said, “As a government, we feel their pains. The state government is aware of the hardships the people are going through.

“On the day of the protest, the state governor at our council meeting was talking about looking for a solution to the issue when a distressed call came about the violent protest and people took the law into their own hands.

“The Governor immediately sent the Deputy Governor to the scene to calm the situation, but the rioting crowd turned violent.

“The protesters embarked on the protest without seeking the permission of the police. And, since it turned violent, those responsible had to be arrested, ” the commissioner maintained.
 

 

 

 

 

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