Youths on Monday took to the streets to protest the ongoing cost of living crisis in Niger State.
According to DailyTrust, the protesters carry 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,” they expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s economic policies.
Chanting anti-government songs, the protesters marched along major streets, including the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.
Attempts by our correspondent to interview some protesters were met with refusal.
Both federal and state governments have made efforts to quell the protest, citing concerns that it could be hijacked by disruptive elements.
Governor Mohammed Bago, in a bid to dissuade residents from protesting, recently announced a series of welfare initiatives.
The governor promised a N20,000 wage allowance for state and local government employees and the immediate release of 50,000 metric tonnes of grains to be sold at subsidized rates.
“We have over 100,000 metric tonnes of food in our reserves, out of which we will be releasing 50,000 metric tonnes to be sold at 50% of its present price. Before the end of the year, we will slash food prices by 90%,” Bago stated at a recent townhall meeting.
Additionally, to acknowledge the efforts of security personnel in fighting crime, the governor announced the gifting of one Prado Jeep to each head of security agency in the state.
