Issues Around Hunger Protests In Niger

Fears have arisen in Niger State due to protests and the hijacking of a truck carrying food by enraged youths and women.

Earlier this month, a group of women staged a protest against the high cost of living and resulting hunger. However, the protest escalated when some youths joined in, blocking the Kpagungu axis of Minna-Bida Road.

The women carried placards with messages such as “No food, we are dying of hunger,” and “Govt: Control food prices before we die of hunger,” demanding improved living conditions and reduced costs.

This protest led to traffic congestion on the busy Minna-Bida Road, a crucial route linking the North-Central and North-West to the South-West of Nigeria.

Aisha Jibrin, considered the initiator of the protest, and 24 others were initially arrested but later released.

More recently, two days ago, protesters seized trailers loaded with food in Suleja, prompting security forces to intervene. This marked the second major protest in the state, with youths obstructing numerous trailers traveling from Abuja to Kaduna.

The youths set fire to tires on the road and began looting bags of grains, rice, and beans before security personnel dispersed them with force. Despite the intervention, several bags of food were already taken.

The Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the protest and subsequent police action to clear the highway.

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, attributed the hunger protests to the activities of food speculators, whom he accused of hoarding and transporting food out of the state. He issued an executive order to halt this practice, authorizing the confiscation of trucks found loading food supplies in rural markets.

The recent events have raised questions about the extent to which such actions are permissible, with concerns voiced by various stakeholders. Comrade Abdullahi Jabi, Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations, North Central Zone, urged for a more productive approach to engage and mobilize youths, cautioning against politicization of the issue.

Efforts to reach Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, representing Niger East, for comment on the alleged neglect of youths in his constituency, were unsuccessful.

Prominent political figure in Minna, Yahaya Idrees, accused the senator of detachment from his constituency, particularly amid the recent protests. The protests largely occurred in Niger East, where the senator was expected to undertake empowerment programs.

Observers emphasize the need for collaborative efforts beyond the state government, suggesting the involvement of both legislative and executive arms in addressing the root causes of the unrest.

Social scientist Mohammed Farouk attributed the recent behavior of youths to economic and social deprivation, emphasizing the importance of empathy and servant leadership from those in positions of authority.