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On Monday morning, police fired gunshots to disperse angry crowds in Minna, Nigeria, protesting rising food prices. What started as a women-led roadblock turned into a massive protest against the rising cost of living.
Around 7 a.m., women obstructed the busy Minna-Bida Road at the Kpakungu roundabout, expressing their dissatisfaction with the rising cost of basic foods. Men soon joined the crowd, halting all traffic in defiance of police.
As tensions rose, police attempted to control the growing crowd. However, protesters refused to leave, prompting warning shots into the air. Ibrahim Gana, a young man, pointed out that a measure of rice now costs N2,000, while a measure of maize costs N1,000.
"The government must alleviate the hardship that poor Nigerians face. "The situation is becoming unbearable," Gana told reporters.
The outburst of public rage in Minna reflects nationwide despair over skyrocketing inflation. Since January, the price of a 50kg bag of rice has increased by more than N10,000. For many families, even feeding themselves three times a day has become impossible.
With the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaching, there is particular concern about how people will cope with daytime fasting in the face of steep price increases.
While some Nigerians turn to prayer during these trying times, others call for government intervention to control rising costs. Otherwise, more explosive outbursts of frustration may be on the way.
The Minna protest highlights growing desperation and hunger in Africa's most populous country. Unless prices are reduced, authorities may continue to face public outrage in the streets.
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