Hundreds of protesters gathered in various locations across Abuja, including the Berger Roundabout in Wuse Zone 6, on Friday morning, before marching to the MKO Abiola Stadium for the second day of the nationwide hunger protest.
The demonstration, led by prominent activists such as VeryDarkMan, Deji Adeyanju, and Barr. Kingdom Okere, began at 12:02 pm with chants of “End Bad Government” and “Bring back Subsidy.”
Protesters carried placards with messages like “We are hungry” and “Tinubu, where is the change?” Among them was Jane Hingir, a 32-year-old participant who expressed her frustration with the current economic situation. “I’ve been struggling to make ends meet, but it’s getting harder every day,” she shared, visibly emotional.
At 12:39 pm, the protesters began marching towards Eagle Square, determined to have their voices heard.
The atmosphere became tense as a helicopter was spotted flying overhead. Despite a smaller turnout compared to the previous day, the momentum of the protest appeared to be growing, with more participants expected to join.
Security forces, including personnel from the Army Headquarters Garrison Command, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS), were present at the scene.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, also made an appearance earlier in the day.
Protesters were not allowed into the stadium premises and instead demonstrated on the road leading to the Umar Musa Yar’Adua Expressway.
The city maintained a subdued atmosphere, with many businesses and offices remaining closed or operating below capacity.