In Niger State, youths have taken to the streets to protest against the widespread economic hardship and rising inflation in Nigeria.
The protest, initially scheduled to commence nationwide on August 1, began early on Monday as demonstrators took to the Abuja-Kaduna expressway in Suleja Local Government Area (LGA).
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The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, including “Fuel subsidy must be back,” “Enough is enough,” “Stop anti-masses policies,” “We are not slaves in our country,” and “Hardship is unbearable.” As they marched, they chanted anti-government slogans, expressing their frustration with the current economic situation and the policies they believe have exacerbated their plight.
Despite repeated appeals from state governors and President Bola Tinubu urging the youths to cancel the planned August 1–10 demonstrations, the protests have persisted.
The government officials have highlighted the potential risks associated with the protests, including the possibility of them being hijacked by hoodlums and “unscrupulous agents.”
IGP warns of foreign mercenaries infiltrating planned nationwide protest
Earlier, Daily News 24 reported how the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, revealed concerns about foreign mercenaries potentially hijacking the demonstrations to incite violence and disrupt the country.
Speaking in Abuja, Egbetokun urged Nigerians to exercise caution and carefully consider their participation in the protest. He stressed the importance of avoiding actions that could destabilize the nation.
“We have been closely monitoring the situation surrounding the protest threats,” Egbetokun stated. “While some groups advocate for peaceful demonstrations, others are calling for violence, echoing recent unrest in Kenya. There are also concerns about groups promoting peaceful protests with underlying violent motives.”
He emphasized Nigeria’s history with violent protests and expressed gratitude to those who have withdrawn due to suspicions about the protest’s intentions. Egbetokun confirmed that intelligence reports indicate the involvement of foreign mercenaries, urging Nigerians to be vigilant and deliberate before joining any protest groups.
