‘Nigerians battling renewed hardship’ — youths protest in Osun over rising cost of living

Some youths in Osogbo, Osun state capital, on Friday, staged a protest against the rising cost of living in the country.

The protesters moved around some parts of the state capital to vent out their frustration about the state of the economy.

They carried placards with inscriptions “Nigerians are suffering”, “Stop maltreating Nigerians”, and “We are human beings”, among others and chanted anti-government songs.

Speaking during the protest, Waheed Lawal, leader of the protesters, said the administration of President Bola Tinubu promised renewed hope but citizens are battling a “renewed hardship”.

Lawal said Nigerians want a secure country where they can engage in their business activities without fear, adding that the government has failed to provide security for the citizens.

“They must do whatever they need to do to make sure that the people benefit from the reforms,” he said.

“They promised us renewed hope but what they are giving us now is renewed hardship. We reject renewed hardship in our lives.

“Nigerians deserve the best. We want a peaceful atmosphere. We don’t want insecurity in our land again.

“With the state of insecurity in the country, you can’t travel from Osogbo to Ibadan with your mind at rest, you will be thinking you may be kidnapped.”

On Monday some residents in Minna, Niger state capital, blocked major roads in the Kpakungu area to protest the economic hardship in the country.

The country has been experiencing instability and a rise in the prices of commodities since the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023