Protesters on Tuesday besieged the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, singing the old national anthem with vigour.

As the nationwide hunger demonstrations entered the sixth day, the protesters were seen marching to Mr Wike’s residence while holding palm fronds.

As they reached Mr Wike’s mansion which was heavily guarded by uniformed police officers, the majority of the protesters sat on the tarred road in front of the house. 

A police tank was parked in front of the mansion and the demonstrators did not move close to it. They stood afar chanting the Arise-O-compatriots anthem while raising the palm fronds in the air at intervals.

Since last Thursday, there had been demonstrations across various states with protesters expressing dissatisfaction over the nation’s economic challenges including rising inflation, naira devaluation and fuel subsidy removal.

Mr Wike who was opposed to the protests since it was announced, withheld approval for the use of Eagles Square in Abuja as the gathering venue for protesters when rights group, Take It Back movement requested it.

In July, the minister pleaded with the demonstrators not to protest, asserting that the current economic challenges in the country were a sacrifice for the nation’s future progress.

“Hunger has been since before now. Ours is to support the government to succeed. I know the pain you are passing through. It is your sacrifice for the country,” Mr Wike said in July.