Esther Salifu
People of Minna , Niger state took to the street to protest against the high cost of living in the country on 5th February
The protesters, mostly women and youth, blocked Minna- Bida Road at the popular Kpakungu Roundabout to complain about the high cost of getting food stuffs in the state and the failed economy under the new elected president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The federal government need to take action to reduce the hardship being faced by the poor Nigerians. Things are becoming unbearable, said one of the protesters
The Niger state command spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun , said the police had to apply force to disperse the protesters.
“I woke up this morning with the information that many people protesting blocked Bida , road obstructing motorists and causing people to be unable to go about their normal work,
“ After so much persuasion, they refused to open the road , even the deputy Governor, His Excellency , was there to address them; we had to use minimum force to disperse the protesters, the road was opened and there is a free flow of traffic now “.
An attempt by the operatives to stop the protest failed as youth chased away the officers who were coming after them .
Some passerby explained their ordeal how they narrowly escaped injuries as the youth became more aggressive.
The police operatives ended up firing tear gas in the direction of the youth , but the youth continued their protest .
