BREAKING: Hunger protest breaks out in Niger State

A group of youths in Niger State has taken to the streets to protest the ongoing cost of living crisis in Nigeria. They carried 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.”

The protesters marched through the streets, chanting anti-government songs. Some were seen along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway, but they declined to speak with our correspondent.

The Federal and State governments have made several attempts to stop the protest, expressing concerns that it could be hijacked by hoodlums and enemies of democracy. Last week, Governor Mohammed Bago offered welfare packages to the residents of Niger in an effort to prevent the protest. He announced a N20,000 wage allowance for state and local government civil servants and ordered the immediate release of 50,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains to be sold at subsidized rates to alleviate the current economic hardship.

“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%,” Governor Bago said at a town hall meeting.

Additionally, to show appreciation for their efforts in combating banditry, insurgency, and other criminal activities, the governor announced a gift of one Prado Jeep to each head of a security agency in the state.

More details to follow…