Cash, fuel scarcity protest grounds Ibadan

Protests broke out on Friday in several parts of Ibadan, capital of Oyo State with aggrieved residents going on a rampage.

They were protesting the fuel and cash scarcity occassioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cash swap.

Some of the parts of the city where pockets of crisis rocked include: Monatan, Iwo Road, Agodi, NTA-Junction, Beere, Oje, Customs-Federal Secretariat Road, Bodija among others.

The protesters who were armed with dangerous weapons including cutlass, axes, broken bottles, cudgel, plank, among others also used it freely on innocent residents.

The protesters made bonefire, barricades and destroyed police stands at almost every junction they passed through during the protest.

Bonafire was made in Monatan, Agodi-Gate, Beere, Oje, Secretariat among other places.

In Iwo Road, the protesters, blocked the road making it impossible for motorists and other road users to pass through.

They blocked the axis under the bridge leading to Idi-Ape leaving commuters trying to access the city stranded.

At a point, the protesters turned the road to a mini football pitch with many road users moving in fear and panic.

No casualty or victim was recorded.

Traders and shops owners in the axis quickly locked their shops for fear of the unknown while the protesters held sway.

Three Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) at Gate and a Police station directly opposite the bank were vandalised by the protesters.

Commercial activities were paralysed in the areas as shop owners were forced to closed down over fear of been attacked.

The peak was when the protesters stormed the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi-Ibadan.

Apparently aware of pocket of protests across the city, the security attached to the Secretariat had locked the main entrance as early as 10AM, forcing people going or coming out of the Secretariat to make use of the Fire Gate.

As the news of the locking of the entrance gates filtered into the offices, apprehension and fear spread as many officials quickly closed their doors and locked up their windows.

Barely an hour later, the arrival of the protesters at the Secretariat compounded the panic as efforts to calm them down by combined security operatives at the entrance gate ifell on deaf ears.

The plea by the Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd) also did not yield results as the protesters keep shouting and lamenting the precarious situations and hardship across the State.

But his quick intervention at calling for security reinforcement and back up saved the day.

The protesters made bonefire at the entrances of the Secretariat. They also destroyed the Christmas/New Year decorations at the roundabout under the Secretariat bridge while also carting away the items they could.

The situation, which caught some motorists unaware, also forced some others to make emergency detours and drive against traffic while heading for safety.

Upon gaining access into the Secretariat, the protesters headed straight for the Governor’s Office.

They left in their trail an attack of the security post at the entrance gate, shattering all the glass windows, destroying furniture and also carrying away items they could lay hands on easily.

As the protetsers arrived the Governor’s Office Gate, the combat-ready police officers maintained their position behind the gate as the protesters tried to force their way in.

After unsuccessful attempts, the proteters resolved to throwing stones and other dangerous weapons into the Governors Office.

A police officer attached to the Governor’s office was hit by a big stone on his head leading to serious bleeding.

Despite the injury, the Police Officer showed bravery and gallantry by maintaining his post.

He only shot into the air to disperse the protesters as they mounted a renewed effort at forcing the gate open.

The shots however made some impact as the protesters dispersed in various direction while the officer shot into the air.

No protesters was shot at by the officer despite the injury he sustained while the rain of stones lasted.

The arrival of a police back up and men of the state anti-crime task force team codenamed Operation Burst minutes later also helped the situation as the protesters ran back towards the main gate, outside the Secretariat.

(TNT)