Residents of Minna, the capital of Niger State, took to the streets on Monday to voice their frustrations over the escalating cost of living in the country. The protesters, comprised of women and youths, blocked major roads within the metropolis, chanting protest songs to draw attention to their plight while security agents, including policemen, monitored the situation.
The demonstrators expressed dissatisfaction with the rising prices of essential goods and criticized what they perceived as inadequate government efforts to address the nation’s economic challenges. The high cost of food items and the perceived lack of effective government intervention prompted the residents to stage the protest, aiming to make their grievances known to the authorities.
Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, addressing the agitated crowd, acknowledged the protesters’ concerns and assured them that the government is aware of the pain and hardship experienced by families in the region. He pledged that steps are being taken to alleviate the economic burden on citizens, emphasizing the government’s commitment to reducing the cost of living and mitigating the impact of the recent petrol subsidy removal.
“The government is fully aware of the challenges our people are facing, particularly in terms of the rising cost of living. We understand the difficulties that families are going through at this time,” Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba stated.
He elaborated on the ongoing efforts to address the situation, reassuring the residents that measures are being implemented to alleviate their economic struggles. The deputy governor urged the protesters to remain peaceful, emphasizing the government’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to the current economic challenges.