The Niger State Government has dismissed reports of protests by some angry youths in Suleja Local Government Area over hunger and economic hardship in the country.
The protesters had marched to the street, demanding better living conditions.
The protesters blocked the busy Kaduna Road, a major highway linking Kaduna to Abuja, before they were peacefully dispersed by the police.
The protesters displayed placards with different inscriptions, such as ‘enough is enough’,’stop anti-masses policies’, ‘we are not slaves in our country’; ‘hardship Is unbearable’, ‘fuel subsidy must be back’, among others.
But in a statement on Monday, Aisha Wakaso, the special adviser to Governor Umaru Bago,on print media, said no protest took place in any part of the state.
She said: “We assure all residents that these reports are unfounded and that no such protests have taken place in the state.
“The Chairman of Suleja Local Government, Ishaku Bawa Naibi, has confirmed that no protests occurred in his jurisdiction.
“Additionally, security reports from the area corroborate this statement, indicating that there have been no disruptions or demonstrations in the State.
“We call on all law-abiding citizens to continue their legitimate business without fear of harassment or intimidation. The Niger State Government remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.”
Ms Wakaso noted that the Bago’s administration would continue to prioritise initiatives that will alleviate economic challenges and improve the quality of life for our people.
“We urge the media to report accurately, avoiding any attempts to incite unrest or create unnecessary fear among the populace but rather supporting the government’s efforts to foster an environment of peace and progress,” the statement added.
