Residents of Kano took to the streets on Thursday evening to protest against the skyrocketing prices of food items and essential commodities. The demonstrators, who gathered around Kurna, Rigiyar Lemu, and Bachirawa areas along the popular Katsina Road, voiced their concerns over the worsening economic situation.
Representing the protesters, Usman Bello, a resident of Rijiyan Lemo, highlighted the severe hardships faced by the masses in the state due to the challenging economic conditions. Bello called on President Bola Tinubu, whom they supported in the elections, to address their grievances and tackle the dire economic situation.
Expressing their concerns in the Hausa language, the protesters emphasized that the economic challenges had pushed them to the limit, prompting the need for a peaceful demonstration despite the harmattan season. Bello stated, “Everybody is worried about the situation, hence the need for us to come out and express our displeasure over the situation.”
He further pointed out the alarming increase in the prices of basic commodities, such as rice and sugar, citing a bag of rice that had surged from N25,000 to N70,000 and sugar from N8,000 to N75,000. The protesters called on the government, particularly President Tinubu, to intervene and alleviate the suffering of the people.
Similarly, in Niger State, youths and women took to the streets of Minna to protest against the pervasive hardship and rising cost of living. The demonstration, held on Monday, saw women blocking Minna-Bida Road at the Kpakungu Roundabout to voice their grievances against what they perceived as difficulties under the Bola Tinubu government.
As the protest intensified, police had to resort to firing teargas to disperse the crowd. Despite the intervention, the protesters persisted, demanding attention to their plight. Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson for the Niger State Command, acknowledged the protest and explained that the police had to use minimum force to restore order and allow the free flow of traffic.
