EndBadGovernance: Protesters shut down commercial activities, others in Edo

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Commercial activities and vehicular movement around the Benin metropolis in Edo State were on Thursday grounded as residents took to various roads in solidarity with the 10-day nationwide protest, tagged ‘#EndBadGovernance and hunger’.

The protest which rocked the entire Benin city saw business owners staying off their ships, apparently over fear of being invaded and looted by the irked protesters.

Protesters in their numbers blocked many major roads and streets in the city in protest of bad governance and hike in foodstuffs across the country.

Tribune Online reports that areas where roads were blocked include Uselu-Ugbowo-Oluku section of the Benin-Sagamu expressway, Benin-Agbor-Asaba road, Benin-Sapele road, Ekehuan-Ugbiyokho road, Upper Sakponba road, Siluko-Egor road, amongst others.

Similarly, commercial banks and other public places such as malls, supermarkets and filling stations were all under lock and keys in the city center.

A visit to the Edo State civil service secretariat, and the State House of Assembly showed that the public institutions were also closed.

Meanwhile, protesters under a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) occupied the King Square, popularly known as Ring Road in Benin for the protest.

The protesters arrived at the place, which was the only place designated by the police, as early as 7:30 am.

Members of the coalition erected a podium and musical instruments as a way of expressing their grievances.

Men of the Edo State Police Command were also at the venue to monitor and provide the necessary security protection.

A combined team of the Nigerian Army, policemen and an armed squad of the Nigeria Correctional Centre stationed at the Correctional Centre along Sapele road.

Officials of the Department of the State Service were deployed to the corporate headquarters of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

At the Edo State House of Assembly armoured personnel vehicles and detachments of policemen were stationed at the entrance gate and environs.

The Commissioner of Police in Edo, Funsho Adegboye, however, commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct.

Adegboye, who addressed the protesters at the Kings Square, said he was impressed by the ways the protesters peacefully conducted themselves and urged them to sustain it.

The police commissioner distributed water snacks, and biscuits to the protesters in appreciation of their peaceful conduct.

However, at Upper Ekehuan Road by Ugbiyokho Quarters, the protesters who brandished placards with various inscriptions were burning tyres on the road.

While others engaged in football activities at the ever-busy Ekehuan Road, some of the women protesters were busy cooking rice and other delicacies on the road.