By Stella Othobor and Ese Daniels
EFFURUN/Nigeria: Effurun, Delta State, witnessed a fervent display of discontent on Friday as residents took to the major roads to voice their frustration over the escalating cost of living across the nation.
In a poignant act of protest, a woman, who chose to remain anonymous, captured the attention of passersby as she lay down in the center of the road at Jakpa junction, her voice echoing sentiments shared by many: “a carton of indomie is ₦18,500, bag of rice ₦80,000, gari is costly, we are hungry, government come and help us, bring the price of food stuffs down.”
Miss Rita Akpo, one of the demonstrators, disclosed that the protest had been slated to commence at 7 am from DSC roundabout, proceeding to Effurun roundabout before reaching Jakpa junction. However, the unexpected presence of military and police personnel at various points in the vicinity deterred several youths from participating.
Mr. Frank Iyasele, a coordinator of the protest, lamented the turn of events, stating, “the protest was peaceful at the beginning before some youths joined us at Jakpa junction and started blocking the road with tables, billboards and even wheel barrows.”
Amidst the crowd, market women could be seen fervently banging containers in solidarity with the demonstrators.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that while tear gas was deployed by security forces to disperse the protesters and restore order, no casualties were reported.
This demonstration adds to a series of spontaneous protests erupting nationwide, all driven by the shared outcry against the harsh economic realities faced by ordinary citizens. Calls reverberate for immediate government intervention to alleviate the mounting hardships inflicted by soaring costs of essential commodities, transportation, and other goods.
