LAGOS—FOLLOWING the call for an end to hunger and economic challenges in the country, hundreds of protesters thronged Lagos, Osun and Oyo states to express their displeasure just as they tasked the state and federal governments to take steps to ameliorate the hardship of the masses.
While protesters converged on designated places in Lagos, Oyo and Osun states to protest against bad governance, they warned that yesterday’s protest was “just a dressing rehearsal.”
Major markets, shops, government offices and banks among others were, however, shut for fear of looting by criminals who may hijack the protest.
Protesters storm Ikeja, Ojota, Lekki
As early as 9am, placards carrying protesters stormed Ikeja Under Bridge, and later marched to Ojota where they converged on the Ikorodu Road shunning police entreaties to move inside designated parks in the area.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read ‘President Bola Tinubu Save us from hunger. We can’t afford two square meals per day, Foodstuffsare unaffordable, Stop corruption, Nigeria is bleeding,’ among others.
Recall that a court ruling had restricted the movement of protesters to designated locations in Lagos the Chief Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park and Peace Park, both in Ojota.
However, protesters defied the order as they converged on Lekki-Epe Toll Gate for a demonstration.
Checks by Vanguard, at 7 am witnessed special security personnel, tagged ‘CP Tactical Squad, Lagos State Police Command,’ stationed at Egbeda Bus Stop, Alimosho Local Government Area, monitoring development.
For the better part of the day, the roads and streets were deserted as only commercial buses, popularly called Danfo were seen operating.
Armed security personnel took strategic positions across the metropolis.
The ever busy Bus Rapid Transit, BRT terminals were empty as there were no buses in sight, while passengers that dared to go out, scuttled to board Danfos.
A number of banks, eateries, fuel stations, superstores, and other business enterprises were seen under lock and key.
At about 7.30 am armed policemen, a special task force, Rapid Response Squad were deployed in large numbers.
Police helicopters were also seen on surveillance operations across the state.
Pro, anti-govt groups clash in Lagos
In Lagos State, two youth groups clashed during protests in front of Fawehinmi Park in the Ojota area of the state over hardship.
While one group protested against hardship in Nigeria, the other group challenged the first group to come out to protest against the government.
The first group, led by one Abiodun Kolawole, also known as Iya Gani Fawehinmin, carried placards with different inscriptions calling for an end to hardship.
While police officers tried to persuade the pro-government group to stage their protest inside the park, the group declined, claiming they could be attacked.
The group protesting hardship urged President Bola Tinubu to punish looters and take steps to make things easy for the masses.
The leader of the group, Abiodun Kolawole, said they were out to exercise their rights as Nigerians and draw attention to the hardship faced by citizens owing to the problems in the economy.
She urged President Tinubu and state governors to address the high cost of living in Nigeria.
But speaking on behalf of the second group, one Azeez Anomuyiwa, said they were against the first group because they were not showing understanding with the present government.
Anomuyiwa said: “We are not against protest against hardship, Nigerians should have protested against certain things before now. President Tinubu inherited hardship from the former government.
