Zamfara Youths Protest Against Subsidy

Hundreds of aggrieved youths in Zamfara State on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest against the removal of petroleum subsidy by the Federal Government, marching through major streets in Gusau.

The youth, who chanted slogans to condemn the measure, registered their protest at the Government House, the House of Assembly and the state Secretariat before armed policemen attempted to disperse them with tear gas.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Sanusi Rikiji, who received the protesters, assured them that the lawmakers would advise the government against taking unpopular decisions that would be against the interest of the masses.

A Spokesman of the youth, Mr. Mujibu Aliyu, told newsmen that the protest was to register their opposition to the removal of the subsidy.

He said government had, by the action, further compounded the economic crisis facing Nigerians, stressing that it was expected to take measures that would ameliorate poverty and not inflict more poverty on the suffering masses.