Group notifies Police of September 24 demonstrations in Abuja, Sokoto and Bauchi
ABUJA — The Arewa Youths Assembly for Good Leadership (AYAGL) has notified the Nigeria Police Force of plans to hold simultaneous peaceful protests in Abuja, Sokoto and Bauchi over rising petrol prices and the impact of fuel costs on Nigerians.
In a letter dated September 21, 2026, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, the group said the demonstrations would take place on Thursday, September 24, beginning at 8 a.m. in the three locations.
The letter was signed by Alhaji Danbature Abdul-Hamid, President of the Arewa Youths Assembly for Good Leadership.
According to the group, the three locations were selected to represent the three northern geopolitical zones, with Abuja representing the North-Central, Sokoto representing the North-West and Bauchi representing the North-East.
AYAGL said more than 100 affiliated youth organisations, civil society groups and community organisations were expected to participate in the planned demonstrations.
The group said the protests were being organised in response to what it described as the continued increase in petrol prices, particularly in parts of Northern Nigeria.
According to AYAGL, petrol prices in some northern locations had risen to between N1,700 and almost N2,000 per litre.
The group said the increase was placing additional pressure on households, commercial operators and businesses, while also affecting the cost of daily economic activities.
AYAGL called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to address the rising cost of petrol and improve affordability for Nigerians.
The group also demanded the resignation or removal of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), accusing the regulatory body of failing to adequately address the situation.
The demand for the NMDPRA chief’s removal forms part of the group’s broader concerns about the regulation of the downstream petroleum sector and the effect of fuel prices on the population.
AYAGL said the planned demonstrations were intended to draw public and government attention to the economic difficulties associated with rising fuel costs.
The group stressed that it was exercising what it described as its constitutional right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
It also assured the Police and the public that the protests would be conducted peacefully, lawfully and in an organised manner.
In its letter to the Inspector-General of Police, the assembly requested adequate security and crowd-control arrangements at the three proposed protest locations.
According to the group, the request was intended to prevent the demonstrations from being hijacked by criminal elements or what it described as agents provocateurs.
The Police have been formally notified of the planned protests, although the organisation of security arrangements and the response of the relevant authorities will determine how the demonstrations are managed on September 24.
The proposed action comes amid continuing public concerns over the cost of petrol and its wider effect on transportation, food prices, business operations and household spending.
AYAGL said it expected the Federal Government to respond to the concerns raised by the protesters and take measures capable of reducing the burden of fuel costs on Nigerians.
IBN News reports that AYAGL has notified the Nigeria Police Force of its plan to stage simultaneous protests in Abuja, Sokoto and Bauchi on September 24 over petrol prices, while also demanding the removal or resignation of the NMDPRA chief.
