Protesters Demand End to Hardship
- By Femi Alabi
A group of protesters in their hundreds on Monday, defied police warning and staged peaceful demonstration across different parts of the city of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The State Police Command had earlier warned against any protests without prior notice to before such action was embarked upon saying unscrupulous elements could hijack it for criminal purposes.
Police noted that it 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 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 protesters include Mokola, Iwo Road, and Sango.
The protesters, who are mostly youths, said they are fed up with the current state of affairs in Nigeria and are demanding for immediate end to these crisis from the government.
They held placards bearing different messages such as “Tinubu Must Address Insecurity” and “Hunger is Killing Us.”
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 has been peaceful so far, but there are fears that it could turn violent if the government does not respond to the demands as security personnel are stationed at strategic locations.
As at the time of filling this reports, the protester were seeing heading towards Sango, UI, and there is hope they’re going too end the protest at the state government Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan.