Some residents of Minna, capital city of Niger state, on Monday blocked major roads in the metropolis to protest the rising cost of living in the country.
Their demonstration compounded rush hour traffic in the city.
Channels Television reports that the protesters were chanting Hausa slogans while bemoaning the economic hardship and inflationary pressure they are daily grappling with.
Yakubu Garba, deputy governor of the state, tried to pacify the crowd and calm frayed nerves.
Garba said the state government is doing everything in its power to ensure that residents are able to afford food and other essential commodities.
Since the removal of subsidy on petrol by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, there has been a steady increase in the prices of basic items and staples.
Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 28.9 percent in December 2023 — up from 28.20 percent in the previous month.