By Alaba Olusola Oke
THE ATMOSPHERE was peaceful in Akure, the Ondo State capital, though markets, shops, banks, and offices were closed, even as the planned nationwide protest was expected to start on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that human and vehicular movements on major roads in the metropolis was also low with many residents keeping indoors.
Some of the areas monitored included the FUTA-Road Block Road, Akure-Owo Road, Alagbaka-Secretariat Road, and Oke -Ijebu – Oba Adesida market road.
Men of the Nigerian Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Amotekun corps manned some strategic places such as Akure Airport Gate, Agbogbo Junction, Mobil Area, and Alagbaka among others.
Speaking on the development, a student of Federal University of Technology, Akure, Michael Adeniyan, said that many people were afraid to come out owing to fear that the planned protest may be hijacked by hoodlums and lead to violence.
According to Adeniyan, the state government also held series of meetings with strategic stakeholders to appeal against the protest holding in the state.
Also, Mrs Ruth Omoge, a trader, said that she did not go to her stall in the market because of the fear of the planned protest getting hijacked and turning violent.
NAN also reports that the Oja Oba Main market in Akure was deserted while the popular Oba Adesida Road, Road Block Area witnessed few vehicular and human movements and there was low economic activity in the areas.
As at 11:00a.m. when this report was filed no protest had begun in any area of the state capital. (NAN)
