The Niger State Police Command has confirmed that some youths took to the streets in the early hours of Monday to protest the ongoing economic hardship in the country.
Earlier, Raye24reporter reports that protesters wielded placards along the Suleja axis of the Abuja-Kaduna road, with messages such as “Enough is Enough,” “Stop Anti-Masses Policies,” “We Are Not Slaves In Our Country,” “Hardship Is Unbearable,” and “Fuel Subsidy Must Be Back.
The police revelation comes after the denial by the Special Adviser on Print Media to Governor Mohammed Bago, Aisha Wakaso, dismissing the reports of protests.
In a statement titled, “Niger State Government Dismisses False Reports of Protests, Urges Residents to Continue Daily Activities Without Fear,” Wakaso wrote, “The Niger State Government firmly dismisses recent online reports by a media platform claiming that protests have commenced on the Abuja-Kaduna road in Niger State.”
However, the Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that there were indeed protests.
Abiodun said, “Some boys were sighted along Kaduna road in Suleja in an attempt to block the road; the Area Commander Suleja swiftly moved with his team to the scene and the boys were dispersed peacefully.
“However, the operation Show of Force led by Area Commander Suleja is ongoing for monitoring and intervention where any challenges may be observed.
“Members of the public are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses without any fear, as the Police and other security agencies are up and doing for monitoring and intervention.”
Abiodun said the Commissioner of police in the state had directed massive deployment of security Operatives and operational gadgets in collaboration with sister security agencies to prevent any break down of law and order across the state.
