By Ambrose Obioma Okehi (News Emperor)
It was a show of anger by hungry and and angry Nigerians in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital as rotesters in their thousands, on Wednesday, blocked major roads within Ibadan metropolis over the scarcity of fuel, new naira notes and the unfortunate rejection of the old notes by commercial banks and commercial outlets amidst the high scarcity of these essential commodities in the country.
The protests, News Emperor gathered was still spreading, affected some areas like Iwo Road, Bodija, Mokola, Eleyele/Eruwa Road, Gbopa, Ologuneru, Apete, Challenge and Orita roads.
The protests resulted in traffic gridlocks in the affected areas, forcing commuters to take to their legs and drivers seeking alternative roads to their destinations.
The protesters, who were mostly youths, were seen burning tyres on the roads, while motorists were hurriedly making u-turns to avoid being caught up in the protest.
Most of the motorists plying the roads in the affected areas were seen displaying leaves conspicuously in front of their vehicles as a show of solidarity with the protesters.
Some of the protesters who were cited at Iwo road of Ibadan, were alleged to be suspected hoodlums who were seen harassing motorists, tricycle and motorcycle riders as well as passers-by, while traders hurriedly closed their shops to prevent looting.
Information at our disposal revealed that the protests around Eleyele/Ologuneru axis of the capital city were led by transporters.
While an eye witnesses at the scenes confirmed toMewd Emperor that the transporters were obstructing free flow of vehicular and pedestrian movements around the axis.
Meanwhile, some of the transporters who spoke concerning the protests, alleged that they were out to protest the non-availability of cash as well as the rejection of the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes by passengers and filling stations.
They thereafter called on the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to urgently address the situation, as they could no longer stand watching their livelihood being threatened.
In order to forestall any form of violence, Officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun and other security agencies were seen stationed at different strategic locations of the metropolis to prevent breakdown of law and order.