- By Kamil Opeyemi
Operatives of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Police have taken over the Eagle Square Abuja some 72 hours ahead of the nationwide protests being planned by some groups.
The groups have said the protests are against the hunger in the country and the general state of the economy.
The Eagle Square was slated to be the centre of the anti-government rallies by those protesting against hunger in the land.
This was just as protesters have blocked the major roads leading into the Federal Capital Territory saying that no government can stop the protests against hunger.
In Suleja, Niger state, some youths trooped out with placards with inscriptions boldly written on them.
Some of them read ‘Fuel subsidy must be back’, ‘Enough is enough’, ‘Stop anti-masses policies’, ‘We are not slaves in our country’, ‘Hardship is unbearable’.
Soldiers in combat gears are seen on major routes like the Kaduna-Abuja highway, Muritala Mohammed Way, Ahmadu Bello Way, entrance into the FCT from Gwagwalada and many more.
Though military men had mounded check-points at some of the locations in the past, the number has increased overnight as many woke up to see fully kitted solders and policemen ready for protesters.
The Federal Government has appealed to protesters to shelve it saying it is ill-timed.
The government has also alleged that the protests are capable of being hijacked.