Protesters, mostly youths and women, on Monday took to the streets on a peaceful protest across different parts of Ibadan metropolis, over the current economic hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy and high rate of inflation.
The protesters through registered their grievances over the high cost of food items and other essential commodities in the market which has resulted to series of economic crisis among Nigerians.
Naijanewshub Newspaper had earlier reported that the Oyo state police command through a press statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer SP Adewale Osifeso warned against any protests without prior notice to the police before such action was embarked upon saying unscrupulous elements could hijack it for criminal purposes, adding that the security agency would not allow any form of violation of public order that could lead to breach of public peace.
Defying the police warning, the protesters, who stormed some major areas within Ibadan metropolis Monday morning are calling on President Bola Tinubu to immediately address the raging issues of insecurity and economic hardship, and hunger among others faced by Nigerians.
Parts of Ibadan stormed by the peaceful protest include Mokola, and Sango, Bodija, state government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan and some other notable Axis of the Metropolis.
The protesters, through their various placards maintained they are fed up with the current state of affairs in Nigeria and are demanding for immediate end to these crisis from the government.
The placards bearing different inscriptions such as “Tinubu Must Address Insecurity” and Hunger”; “Hunger Is Killing Us”; Address This Hardship Before It’s Too Late”; among others.
The protesters also expressed concerns about the high cost of living, which they say is making it difficult for people to afford basic necessities of life.
The protest come at a time when Nigeria is facing several security challenges, including kidnappings, banditry, and attacks by terrorist groups.
They said, food prices have also skyrocketed, making it difficult for many Nigerians to feed their families.
The protesters hope that their demonstration will draw the attention of Tinubu and the government to these pressing issues. They are also calling on the government to do more to alleviate the suffering of the people and to improve the country’s economy.
The protest was peaceful so far, as there was heavy presence of security operatives on ground monitoring the activities of the protesters and also maintained law and order.
Meanwhile, Oyo state Police Command has reinstated its commitment to ensure safety of lives and property of residents of the state.
Naijanewshub Newspaper reporter who monitored the peaceful protest that started from Mokola axis of Ibadan, spoke with the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso who was also on ground to monitor the activities assured residents of the state of adequate safety of lives and properties.
SP Adewale Osifeso in his words said, “Oyo state Police Command under the leadership of CP Adebola Hamzat has been proactive enough to ensure that adequate deployment in terms of operational intelligence and of course tactical resources are being deployed to protect both the protesters and the people.”
“We understand that people have right for this kind of protests but it’s our duty as well to ensure that the protest is not hijacked by mischievous elements who might want to make criminal proceeds from this kind of situation.”
“From Mokola axis which is the starting points of this movement, police has covered them by foot, following them steps by steps, we are now at Bodija market and we’re following them to the secretariat and back to Mokola.”
“The command will like to let the good people of the state, especially the residents of the state knows that we have their interest at heart and we would do all what it takes to ensure that relative peace and tranquillity in Oyo state remained as it is in the state.”
“Our words of caution is simple as I said earlier, our people have the right to peaceful protest, but our duty is to ensure that it’s not hijacked by unscrupulous elements and if caution is not taken, though that’s why we are here to provide the intelligence and physical support to ensure that there is no any spark, we understand that anything could ignite unnecessary actions here and we as human beings are also with them to ensure that the protesters are not lead to issue that would cause chaos.”
“If this protest is not fully followed by all the security agents, there will be lots of issues and that is why we are here to protect not only the protesters but life and property of citizenry of this state.” Osifeso said.
As at the time of filling this report the protesters seeing with various placards have left the state Secretariat premises, Agodi Ibadan in company of security operatives that are were fully armed. They moved towards Government House, Agodi Gate.