In a significant display of public discontent, protesters blocked the Kaduna Road, a crucial highway in Niger State linking Kaduna to Abuja, on Monday. This preemptive action comes just three days before a planned 10-day nationwide protest aimed at demanding improvements in Nigeria’s economic situation according to Premium Times.
The demonstrators carried placards with powerful messages such as ‘We Are Not Slaves’, ‘Enough is Enough’, ‘Stop Anti-Masses Policies’, ‘Hardship Is Unbearable’, and ‘Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back’. Their chants of anti-government slogans underscored their unwillingness to wait until Thursday, the official start date for the broader protests organized by various groups.
The primary grievances driving these protests are the removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira, policies introduced by President Bola Tinubu. These measures, while intended to stabilize the economy in the long run, have exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria. Since their implementation, food prices have more than doubled, making daily life increasingly difficult for the average Nigerian.
In response to the escalating tension, the government has engaged in extensive efforts to avert the protests. Meetings have been held with traditional rulers, clerics, and other influential groups in a bid to mitigate the unrest. Security agencies, including the police, the army, and the State Security Service, have also issued warnings about the potential for the protests to be hijacked by individuals intent on inciting violence.
Despite these efforts, the resolve of the protesters remains strong. Their demands include a reversal of the government’s economic policies and immediate measures to alleviate the widespread hardship. The protesters argue that the current policies disproportionately impact the poor and are unsustainable.
