Hunger Protest Breaks Out In Niger State

Some youths in Niger State have trooped to the streets to protest the ongoing cost of living crisis in Nigeria, despite the effort of the Federal and State governments to stop the protest, saying hoodlums and enemies of democracy could hijack it.

Naija News learnt that the protesters were seen on the streets chanting anti-government songs and holding placards such as ‘Enough is Enough’; ‘Stop Anti-Masses Policies’; ‘We Are Not Slaves In Our Country’; ‘Hardship Is Unbearable’, ‘Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back’, among others.

According to Daily Trust, some of the protesters on the Abuja-Kaduna expressway declined to speak with journalists who approached them.

In other news, Security forces, which include both military personnel and local vigilantes, have successfully neutralized several bandit groups in Kundu village, situated along the Zungeru-Tegina road, within the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

It was gathered that the operation, which occurred on Wednesday morning, led to widespread panic in the Zungeru Wednesday Market, prompting residents to evacuate their homes amidst the sound of gunfire that persisted for several hours.

Sources who spoke to journalists on the recent event noted that the bandit groups were in the process of crossing the area in large numbers towards the Akare axis in the Wushishi Local Government Area when the military initiated an ambush.

A military officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, told newsmen that the troops were observing their movements, as there was intelligence suggesting the assailants were following their customary path.

Consequently, he said the army had positioned its forces for an ambush.