Plateau State on Thursday joined other parts of Nigeria to protest against hunger and suffering.

The protest in Jos, the state capital, was peaceful with an orderly procession of protesters marching from the Secretariat junction to the old airport roundabout.

Isa El Buba, a prophet and convener of Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria (IBBN), led the procession and addressed the protesters, highlighting the suffering of Nigerians and the need for the president to reverse his anti-people policies.

Buba specifically mentioned the reversal of the removal of fuel subsidy, reversal of high electricity tariff, and reduction of the high cost of living as some of the demands of the protesters.

Read also: Protest: Abuja residents cautious as power shutdown, slow network, heavy security reigns

Despite the government’s rejection, the protesters were determined to make their voices heard, carrying Nigerian flags and placards with inscriptions such as “There is hunger in the land”, “Bring back fuel subsidy”, and “Reverse electricity tariff” “Enough is Enough”.

Security operatives were present to guide the protesters and ensure that the protest remained peaceful.

The Plateau State government had earlier rejected the protest, citing security concerns, but the protesters were undeterred.

Other protesters also assembled at the British American roundabout in Jos, where most shops were closed in solidarity with the protest.

The peaceful nature of the protest was a relief to many who had feared that the protest might turn violent.

As the protesters presented their demands, it remains to be seen whether their voices will be heard and their demands met.

Nathaniel E. Gbaoron is the Plateau State correspondent for BusinessDay and a seasoned journalist with a decade of experience covering sub-national affairs across Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and other states. He holds both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Fidel Polytechnic, Gboko. Over the years, he has participated in numerous media trainings and workshops spanning various areas of reporting, strengthening his expertise in economic and political reporting, community-level governance, development stories, and conflict-sensitive journalism. He is a member of Correspondent Chapel in Plateau state, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he is also a Rotarian and a member of Plateau Club 1921.

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