Niger protest ends catastrophic, as hoodlums hijack protest

The protest staged by fish vendors in Suleja, headquarters of Suleja local government area of Niger state, ended catastrophic on Wednesday.

The protesters embarked on the protest to kick against frequent hikes in prices of frozen fish which of late rose from N34,000 to N48,000 which they said had slowed down their business.

However the protest was soon hijacked by hoodlums who started stealing foodstuff from any passing trucks loaded with any edibles along Abuja-Suleja-Kaduna ever busy Highway.

The massive looting of the vehicles was made easily possible because the youths blocked the highway which led to traffic holdup or standstill.

Eyewitnesses report that vehicles ferrying fruits like watermelon, pineapple, oranges among others were stopped and the items stolen to their satisfaction.

Youths in Suleja had attempted to embark on a similar protest two weeks ago but were stopped due to the quick intervention of some Elders in the town and were shelved but promised to stage a comeback.

Reacting, the Spokesman of the state Police Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun said: “There was a protest this morning along Kaduna-Abuja road but the protesters did not communicate with the police.”

“It was later discovered that miscreants had taken over the protest by stealing food items from vehicles held up in traffic but there was nothing like “hijack of Trucks  by anybody.

“The area commander Suleja, ACP Sani Musa quickly mobilised patrol teams to the scene, dispersed the protesters and the highway has now been cleared for free flow of traffic but we are still keeping vigil on the area,” the PPRO said.