30-yr-old lady, 24 others arrested over violent protest in Niger

Police operatives in Niger State have arrested a 30-year-old woman, Aisha Jibrin, who led women and youths in a mass protest on Monday, February 5, over the high cost of living in Minna, the state capital.

She was arrested alongside two other women: 57-year-old Fatima Aliyu, and 43-year-old Fatima Isyaku; and 22 others.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Wasiu, in a statement said: “on February 5, 2024, at about 7am, a large number of women and miscreants mobilised and blocked Minna-Bida road and Kpakungu Roundabout claiming to be protesting against increase in foodstuff prices, causing major obstruction on the highway and deprived motorists, travellers and other road users from gaining access to attend to their lawful businesses.

The command immediately drafted police patrol teams to the scene, and after much persuasion by the police, the protesters deliberately refused to clear the road for public use.