BIG STORY
BREAKING: Protesters Block Major Road Leading To Abuja Over Economic Hardship [PHOTOS/VIDEO]
Protesters have taken to the streets, blocking the Kaduna Road, a critical highway in Niger State that connects Kaduna to Abuja.
This development comes just three days before a planned 10-day nationwide protest, scheduled to commence soon.
The upcoming protest is being organized by various groups, who are demanding significant improvements in Nigeria’s economic situation.
The blockade of the Kaduna Road is a precursor to the larger protest, as demonstrators seek to draw attention to their grievances and push for change.
The protest is expected to be a widespread demonstration, with participants from various parts of the country coming together to voice their demands for economic reform.
The protesters carried placards with several inscriptions such as ‘We Are Not Slaves’, ‘Enough is Enough’; ‘Stop Anti-Masses Policies’, ‘Hardship Is Unbearable’ and ‘Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back.’
Monday’s protesters appeared unwilling to wait till Thursday as they chanted anti-government slogans.
The organisers of the nationwide protests want an improvement in the cost of living and a reversal of some government policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidies.
Nigeria faces its worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. Food prices more than doubled after President Bola Tinubu removed petrol subsidies and floated the naira to allow market forces to determine the value of the Nigerian currency.
The government says the policies are essential and that citizens would later benefit from them.
The government has been working hard to prevent the protests by meeting with traditional rulers, clerics, and other groups.
Security agencies like the police, the army and the State Security Service have also warned that the protests could be hijacked by persons intent on causing violence.
Video credit: Premium Times
More to come…