Hunger protest begins in Niger

The Police in Niger State have peacefully dispersed youths who took to the streets of Suleja township on Monday to protest the ongoing cost of living crisis in Nigeria, including the rising prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel (AGO) following the removal of subsidies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The protesters, carrying placards with messages such as ‘Enough is Enough,’ ‘Stop Anti-Masses Policies,’ ‘We Are Not Slaves In Our Country,’ ‘Hardship Is Unbearable,’ and ‘Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back,’ marched through the streets chanting anti-government slogans. They attempted to disrupt vehicular movement on the Kaduna-Abuja highways, leading to a breach of the peace.

SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Niger State Police Command, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Minna, the state capital.

He explained that the Suleja Police Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and the Area Commander of Suleja, intervened to disperse the youths who were reportedly trying to cause mayhem on the highways and create disruption for motorists and commuters.

SP Abiodun further disclosed that normalcy has since returned to the Kaduna-Abuja highways and Suleja metropolis, including Dikko and Taffa LGA.

The Area Commander and his officers have commenced a show of force in the affected areas to deter mischief-makers and unpatriotic elements from hijacking the peaceful protest and turning it violent.

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