…We’re here to provide protection for protesters, public to avoid break down of order, say Police
Ibadan residents, especially the youths and traders, stormed the streets of the ancient city on Monday to protest the high cost of living in the country.
The protest erupted over the low standard of living, poverty, food inflation and the current economic hardship bedeviling the country.
The protesters gathered in the Mokola area of the city , where many residents carried different placard and chanting songs to drive home their points.
From Mokola, they moved to the Orita UI axis where they caused a lot of traffic snarl. From UI, they headed towards Bodija market where they were received by traders who showed solidarity with the protesters. The traders lamented that their sales turnover had been affected as a result of high cost of goods and harsh policies of the Bola Tinubu presidency.
They decried the leadership style of President Bola Tinubu, which they said was out to inflict pains and hardship on poor Nigerians. From Bodija, the protesters headed to the Oyo State Secretariat complex.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions such as ‘End food hike and inflation,’ ‘The poor are starving,’ and ‘Tinubu, don’t forget your promises,’ ‘Tinubu, stop this bad governance’, ‘Tinubu, put an end to this hardship’, among others.
One of the leaders of the protesters, Emiola Solomon, said the protest was held under the aegis of All Concerned Nigerians.
Emiola said the hardship in the land was excruciating and the President must rise to the occasion before the country would be burnt down.
He said: ‘It is due to the bad economic policies of President Bola Tinubu. The masses are suffering due to hike in prices of food items. To buy food has become difficult now. All food items are costly. All coalitions are part of this’’.
However, armed police officers, officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Army were seen at strategic positions.
Addressing journalists, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said the command would always provide security for peaceful protesters and all residents of the state.
Osifeso said: ‘’From Mokola, which is the starting point of the protest, the police have been following them step-by-step to Bodija Market, Awolowo to the state secretariat. Having got to this point, they are turning to the secretariat. The command wants to assure the residents that we have their interest at heart and we will ensure that relative peace in Oyo State remains as it is.
‘’Our people have the right to freedom of assembly. Our duty is to ensure that it is not hijacked by unscrupulous elements. We are here to provide protection to the protesters and to ensure that they are not led to the issue that will cause chaos’’.
