By Kamsi Anayo
Angry residents of Minna, the capital of Niger State on Monday morning thronged major roads in the city to protest the rising cost of living in the country.
The protesters, in large numbers, barricaded the Minna-Bida Road at the popular Kpakungu roundabout as early as 7am on Monday.
Women and young people who were part of the demonstrators were heard chanting protest songs while police operatives and other security personnel observed the situation.
The demonstrators said that the rise in food costs, along with the government’s poor response, pushed them to block major roadways in order to catch the attention of the authorities.
Meanwhile, Mr Yakubu Garba, the deputy governor of Niger State who addressed the protesters, stated that the current administration understood the suffering and difficulties that families were going through at the moment.
He also added that the government was working towards reducing the cost of living and cushioning the effect of the petrol subsidy removal.