LAGOS (Nigeria), Aug 2 – Thousands of protesters marched Thursday in major cities in Nigeria to demand “immediate action” on the country’s economic hardship, food crisis and inflation.
Anadolu Agency reported protests began early in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, despite a move by the government to stop demonstrations.
The crowd, mostly youths and human rights activists marched to the city centre and business areas of Ikeja, Ojota and Ojodu while chanting: “We’re hungry, don’t kill us, enough of hunger and hardship, anti-poor policies, end hardship now!”
Protesters are demanding a cut in electricity, petrol pump and food prices, in addition to the introduction of free education, good governance, justice and constitutional reforms, according to Anadolu.
Nigeria faces economic challenges as the high cost of food, fuel, cooking gas, medicine and transport have pushed up the cost of living.
In June, inflation rose to 34.29 per cent from 29.90 per cent that was recorded in January, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
