Soldiers Fire Shots as Hoodlums Hijack Food-Laden Trailers in Niger State
Suspected hoodlums created chaos in the Suleja Area of Niger State on Thursday, as they hijacked trailers loaded with foodstuff. Witnesses reported that trailers en route from Abuja to Kaduna were blocked by the hoodlums, who set tires ablaze on the road. The assailants made off with numerous bags of food items, especially rice, before the arrival of soldiers.
Alhassan Abdullahi, an eyewitness, recounted the incident, noting that soldiers had to open fire into the air to disperse the hoodlums. Despite this, many of the attackers managed to escape with bags of rice, cartons of spaghetti, and other food items. There are also reports that commercial motorcycle riders are planning a protest, which was initially scheduled for the previous day but was postponed for unknown reasons.
The incident occurred amidst widespread hardship across the country, leading to protests in various regions. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) recently announced a two-day nationwide mass protest scheduled for February 27 and 28. This decision was made following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government regarding the prevailing hardship faced by Nigerians.
In a related development, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, expressed concerns over the economic situation, stating that millions of Nigerian youths are unemployed and facing food scarcity. He warned that Nigeria is on the brink of a crisis, with citizens becoming increasingly agitated, angry, and hungry.
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the rampant hunger and starvation in the country. During a meeting with First Lady Remi Tinubu, he called attention to the dire situation and urged action to address the plight of Nigerians.
Daily Trust
