“Hunger Dey We Must Protect” Lone Protester in Abuja Calls Attention to Hunger Crisis

A video of a Nigerian man protesting solo along Wuse 2 in Abuja has gone viral on social media.

The man is seen on the streets holding a flag with the words “Hunger dey” while chanting “Enough is enough.” His solitary protest has sparked discussions about the hunger crisis in the country.

“Hunger Dey We Must Protect” Lone Protester in Abuja Calls Attention to Hunger Crisis

Abuja Yam Sellers Struggle Amid Soaring Prices

Yam sellers in Abuja are lamenting low sales brought on by price increases. Nigerians have been complaining about inflation and how they’ve been forced to forego necessities. Recently, people have been lamenting the price of yams, plantains, and other food items, with even Nollywood actors crying out about the exorbitant prices of food.

To compound issues, there was confusion last week at the Bakin Dogo food market in Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, as 100 tubers of old yam sold for N1 million at wholesale. Now, Abuja yam sellers are complaining that they are unable to make sales because customers cannot afford their goods.

Blessing Timothy, a yam seller in the Masaka market, called on the federal and state governments to regulate the constant price increase of foodstuff to minimize the suffering of Nigerians. She also appealed to the government at all levels to provide farmers with modern farm inputs while ensuring the timely distribution of fertilizers to boost food production nationwide.

Ms. Timothy said five tubers of yam now sell for between N15,000 and N30,000, depending on their sizes. Hannah Duke, another yam seller in Mararaba, said the increase in the price of yam had affected her business, adding that she was gradually losing her capital. According to her, most farmers don’t go to farms anymore because of insecurity. Those who managed to plant have to pay gunmen to be able to harvest, which increases the cost of transportation and pesticides.

“All these go to the cost of production, and in the end, the farmers need to increase prices to make ends meet,” she said. Ms. Duke said the yam business was no longer profitable, making it difficult for people to buy yams. “Sometimes we are forced to cut yams into pieces to sell; we sell small slices of yam between N1,000 and N2,000, depending on the size. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid,” she said.

Josephine Ejeh, another seller in Mararaba, expressed her frustration and said yam was now beyond the reach of the ordinary man. “We don’t know where to start from. Last year, we sold a bundle of yams (five pieces) for N3,000, and now we are selling between N15,000 and N30,000, depending on the size. People are not patronising us again. I’ve been here since morning, and I have not sold anything. Everyone is complaining, and it is not our fault either.”

Abuja Yam Sellers Struggle Amid Soaring Prices

Inspector-General Lists Conditions for Planned Protest

By Halima Abdulkadiri

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olukayode Egbetokun, has issued guidelines for the planned nationwide protest on August 1.

Addressing newsmen on Friday in Abuja, Egbetokun outlined that protesters must provide details of their proposed route, assembly point, duration, and names and contacts of leaders and organizers.

He emphasized that the Commissioner of Police in each state must be informed of measures taken to prevent the protest from being hijacked by criminal elements.

“Providing these details allows the police to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety,” Egbetokun said. “It helps us designate personnel to specific routes and areas to avoid conflicts with other events and establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues.”

He reiterated that while the police acknowledge citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, it is crucial for protesting groups to provide these details in the interest of public safety and order.

Egbetokun called for cooperation from the groups planning to protest, urging them to obey the law and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly. He noted that the police have been monitoring threats surrounding the planned protest, with some groups calling for violent demonstrations akin to recent protests in Kenya, while others advocate for peaceful protests with underlying violent intentions.

“We have our own history of violent protests in Nigeria and don’t need to look to other countries to understand the dangers of unchecked demonstrations,” Egbetokun said. “We commend patriots who have withdrawn from the protest and those who have spoken out against any form of protest at this critical time.”

He warned that the police have credible intelligence on foreign machineries’ involvement in the planned protest, raising genuine concerns about potential manipulation by enemies of the country.

Egbetokun urged Nigerians to exercise caution and reconsider joining any protest group at this time, stating that even peaceful protests might be ill-timed.

He warned groups plotting to destabilize the country and hoodlums seeking to exploit the protest for criminal agendas that the police would not tolerate the killing of innocent citizens, destruction of public infrastructure and private property, or looting of private businesses.

Inspector-General Lists Conditions for Planned Protest