Hoodlums Rampage: Protest in Niger State Overrun as Food Trucks Looted

Unidentified hoodlums have disrupted a peaceful protest initiated by fish vendors along Kaduna road in the Suleja area of Niger state. The demonstration, initially focused on the surge in fish prices, took a chaotic turn as aggrieved youths seized the opportunity to turn it into a demonstration against economic hardships.

Sadiq Bala, a candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the Suleja constituency, confirmed the incident, stating that the fish sellers initiated the protest around 10 am on Thursday. Bala revealed that the protest spiraled out of control when passers-by joined, blocking the busy Abuja-Kaduna road to attract attention.

Reports indicate that the initial grievance was the sharp increase in the price of a carton of fish, rising from N34,000 to N48,000 overnight. As the demonstration intensified, the focus shifted to looting, with hoodlums hijacking trucks, including those belonging to Dangote and BUA, laden with food items.

Bala recounted, “They hijacked the trucks and started to steal food items. One of the trucks was carrying bags of rice. They were able to overwhelm the driver, and some of them even started celebrating.”

Security operatives, including soldiers and Suleja and Tafa police, responded to the situation, firing tear gas to disperse the protesters and restore order. Wasiu Abiodun, the police spokesperson in Niger, confirmed the incident, emphasizing that the protest had not been communicated to the police.

“There was a protest this morning along Kaduna road, Suleja, and the protest plan was not communicated to the police. It was later discovered to be hijacked by some miscreants who blocked the highway,” Abiodun stated.

This incident follows recent protests in Minna and Suleja, where residents expressed discontent over the escalating cost of living. Demonstrations across the country reflect growing frustrations with soaring food prices since the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.