- The governor, in a video shared by AIT News on X (formerly Twitter)
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, has issued a directive prohibiting traders from other states in Nigeria from engaging in bulk food purchases at the local markets in the state.
This decision follows a significant protest in Minna, the state capital, addressing concerns about inflation and economic challenges.
The governor, in a video shared by AIT News on X (formerly Twitter), clarified that the protest arose from misinformation suggesting the government’s intention to hoard food palliatives amid widespread hunger.
He said, “On your way en route Lagos to Abuja, a lot of trucks going to the north will pass through either Minna or Lambata, through Sarki Pawa to cut short the high cost of fuel.
These people had gone to inform the people (masses) of food coming in for keeps by the government. So they intimated these people (masses) that there was food, truckloads of foods coming to Minna. And it is going to go straight to some stores for sharing to you and that agitated the power.
“Trucks who come to park or buy foodstuff from our villagers in bulk should be halted for now. We have stopped mass purchases from our local markets, in all our local governments from now until further notice. Anybody found doing that, we have given security agencies to go ahead to confiscate those trucks and share the foods to the people.”
Videos on Monday had shown how the protesters blocked major roads as they lamented that there were no government efforts to curb the rising cost of food items.
The protesters were heard chanting protest songs, while security agents including policemen looked on.