Residents, including youths and women, took to the streets of Minna, Niger State, on Monday, protesting against the rising cost of living and what they perceive as challenging economic conditions under the government.

The demonstration began when a group of women blocked the Minna-Bida Road at the Kpakungu Roundabout, expressing their grievances against the perceived hardships.

The protest later gained momentum as men and youths joined, obstructing the movement of vehicles.

Some of the protesters, speaking in Hausa, lamented the worsening economy under the leadership of Ahmed Tinubu.

Despite the deployment of police operatives to the scene, the youths continued the protest, asserting that the police were agents of the government.

One of the protesters, Ibrahim Gana, highlighted the difficulties faced by Nigerians, stating, “Rice was sold at the cost of N2,000 at Minna markets while maize was N1,000 per module (measure). The Federal Government needs to take action to reduce the hardship being faced by the poor Nigerians. Things are becoming unbearable.”

Efforts by police operatives to disperse the protesters and make arrests were met with resistance, with the protesters driving away the officers.

Tear gas was eventually used to disperse the crowd, but the protest persisted.

Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, addressing the protesters, acknowledged the challenges faced by families and assured them that the government is working to reduce the cost of living and mitigate the impact of the petrol subsidy removal.

Niger State Police Command spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, explained, “After so much persuasion, they refused to open the road, even the deputy Governor, His Excellency, was there to address them; we had to use minimum force to disperse the protesters, the road was opened, and there is a free flow of traffic now.”

The protests come amid a back-and-forth between the Presidency and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the state of the Nigerian economy and President Bola Tinubu’s monetary policies.

Atiku had expressed concerns about hunger and the rising prices of basic commodities, while the Presidency defended the reforms, anticipating long-term prosperity.