By Bushrah Adeshina, Ibadan
Residents of Ibadan, Oyo State have taken to the streets in a peaceful march from various areas as Mokola, Iwo Road, and Sango towards UI and the State Secretariat at Agodi, NewsDirect can authoritatively report.
The protest they claimed, was aimed at highlighting the harsh realities of inflation, high cost of living, insecurity and other socio-economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
The protesters, mostly youths, wielded placards with messages criticizing the government, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies, which they believe have not alleviated their suffering and hardships.
Chanting songs of dissent and brandishing placards with messages like “Tinubu Must Address Insecurity” and “Hunger is Killing Us”, the demonstrators demanded immediate action from the authorities to address the nation’s crises.
While demonstrating their discontent, the protesters garnered the attention of the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, who assured the public of adequate security measures to safeguard lives and property.
A woman, Mrs. Risikatu Bakare who joined the train of protesters at Bodija market said that she resolved to come to market with her four hungry children to pack woods, so they can have a means to eat.
” We have been hungry since yesterday, no food. My four children and I have been helpless. I told them to follow me here so that we can pack the scrap of woods yo find a relief from hunger. Beg Tinubu for us. This is much.” She lamented.
Another protester who preferred anonymity said that the situation concerns all Nigerians.
He added that it is their right to express displeasure so that normalcy can be restored.
“Every Nigerian should stand for their right and must collectively fight this high cost of living. We cannot afford three square meals.”
“Sections 39 and 40 of the country’s constitution empower every Nigerian to organise peaceful assembly and to speak about the economic hardship. This protest is a continuous action, so expect protest from any angle. It is not about me alone but about Nigerians.”
“We must collectively fight for this and make sure that things are brought back to normalcy,” he added.
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 know 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
The protest concluded peacefully, with the demonstrators dispersing from the State Secretariat in Agodi under the watchful eye of armed security personnel.