Security operatives were strategically positioned as residents took over major streets in Ibadan on Monday in protest against what they described as persistent hunger in the land as well the insensitivity of the political leadership to the plight of the people.
The protest which took off at Mokola roundabout in Ibadan North local government area had in attendance representatives of different groups including traders, artisans, students unions from various institutions in the state.
The protest, according to them, is aimed at drawing the attention of the leadership at all tiers of government to the prevailing economic situation in the country.
The protest train which moved from Mokola, Veterinary Junction, Sango, Bodija, Agbowo and Agodi Gate affected the free flow of traffic in the affected areas
The protesters carry placards with inscriptions bordering of the rising cost of living, escalating prices of food items, hunger in the country, economic hardship and urgent need for the government to take pragmatic steps and make food become surplus in the country.
The chant of ‘Ebi n pawa’ (We are hungry) rented the atmosphere of Mokola Roundabouts as the youth staged the protest.
The inscriptions on the placards include: Mr. President, this is not the hope you promised. This is Shege; Is this the renewed hope that you promised?; End hardship. Do you want to reduce our population?; We want peace; No more promise and fail; Bring back our real Nigeria; End food scarcity.
The side attractions include selling of sachet water for N50 per one while three sachets of water went for N100.
The protesters left Mokola Roundabouts for the frontof the University of Ibadan at Agbowo.
Meanwhile, security operatives including the police, Western Security Network code named Amotekun, Civil Defense Corps have been strategically positioned to prevent breakdown of law and order during and after the protest.
The Oyo State Police Command had in a statement by its Public Relation Officer, Adewale Osifeso submitted that it was never approached and is yet to be approached by any individual or group in this regard.
‘Consequent upon the above, the organisers through their actions and most importantly inactions would be opening a portal for unscrupulous elements to hijack the process,thus escalating the situation into full scale chaos which might in turn, lead to attacks on places of critical interests within the Capital.
“To this end, parents, guardians and leaders of all degrees of influence are to prevail on their children, wards and protegees against being used by agents of anarchy who would want to take undue advantage of the situation to destroy the relative peace enjoyed in the State’
Tribune online.
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