The governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, has accused a cartel of deliberately causing food shortages and escalating prices by hoarding foodstuffs and livestock. This accusation comes in the wake of protests in Minna, the state capital, where residents demanded lower food prices and protested against the high cost of living. Bago alleges that the protesters were incited by the prospect of looting trucks carrying food items. He claims that syndicates orchestrate these protests to create distractions while they loot the goods. The government has responded by implementing measures to prevent the hoarding of food and livestock, including issuing an Executive Order to seize foodstuffs being stockpiled and distributing them to the public for free. Meanwhile, in Kano State, Governor Yusuf has pledged to seek assistance from prominent figures, including President Tinubu, to address the hunger crisis affecting the less privileged in the state.