Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has attributed the recent protest in Minna, the state capital, to the activities of food speculators who were reportedly mopping up foodstuffs from various local markets across the state.
Addressing journalists following the protest, Governor Bago revealed that the demonstration stemmed from an attempt by hoodlums to hijack trucks loaded with food items destined for Abuja.
He commended the timely intervention of security agencies in thwarting the plans of the perpetrators.
“In the early hours of Monday, some unidentified hoodlums mobilised women and youths after their morning prayers to block some food trucks passing through Minna with an intent to cart away the foodstuffs. However, with the timely intervention of security agencies, their plans were thwarted,” Governor Bago stated.
He further explained that similar attempts were made on other trucks conveying food supplies through the state at Mokwa and Lapai local government areas before security agencies intervened to divert the trucks.
Blaming the hike in food prices on food speculators who were allegedly buying up foodstuff from local markets and transporting them out of the state, Governor Bago announced an executive order aimed at curbing their activities.
“I have decided to issue an executive order effective today to stop food speculators from invading our local markets to mop up our farm produce to other states and neighboring countries,” he said.
“By this order, any truck found in any rural market coming to load food supplies in bulk will be confiscated, and the produce will be auctioned out immediately.”
While disclosing that some arrests had been made in connection with the protest, Governor Bago assured that security agencies were handling the situation. He refrained from providing details on the number of arrests but emphasized that those apprehended would be arraigned in court after a preliminary investigation.
The protest, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, saw demonstrators blocking the Kpakungu Roundabout in Minna, expressing grievances over the current economic challenges facing the state.
