Some of the protesters
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
In Maiduguri, youths and children from the Bulumkutu area joined the nationwide peaceful protests, but were blocked by security agents from the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, and Vigilante Groups of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
The security agents were stationed at strategic locations on highways and major roads within the state capital and its environs.
According to Malam Hassan Usman, the situation is a mixed bag, with some protesters having good intentions to impress the government to address the demands of the poor Nigerian masses, while others may have evil minds to distract attention and destroy properties.
A female trader at Tashan Kano area, Hajiya Aisha Bakura, said she was advised by her children not to come out for business due to the protests. She noted that she saw few commercial vehicles and private cars on the streets, while many people were stranded at the motor park.
Visits to some areas of the Maiduguri city indicated that the protests did not receive popular support, with community and religious leaders lecturing against the planned protests. However, a resident of Bulumkutu Ruwan Zafi Area, Abdullahi Musa, said they decided to join the protests due to economic hardships and sufferings.
Abdullahi stated that people are dying of hunger, and the government has not done anything tangible to address the matter.
He emphasized that unless the government reframes or withdraws policies that instigated high fuel prices, controls prices of goods and services, and allows the common man to live a better life, the protests will not stop.
