By Miracle Ogunde
Residents of Akure, the Ondo State capital, have shunned the #Endbadgovernance protest which begins today.
Checks by Starnews NG revealed that normal activities were ongoing as there was no sight of any protester or rally in place.
Also security operatives were stationed at strategic locations in the state capital.
The nationwide protests which kicked off today in major parts of Nigeria, have taken different dimensions in different states.
In Akure, the Ondo state capital, the situation was calm as residents went about their daily activities, even though shops and major business outlets remain shut.
Also, banks were not opened and there was free vehicular movement within and outside the state.
Security operatives were on standby with patrol vehicles to prevent possible breakdown of law and order that may result from the protests.
Surveying major parts in Akure, Starnews correspondent observed that normal activities were ongoing at the Benin garage and there was free movement on the roads leading to Owo and Ado Ekiti.
At Agbogbo Bus Stop, there were security operatives stationed there with a patrol van on standby.At Mobile filling station, opposite Fiwasaye Grammar school, there was presence of security personnel.
Starnews correspondent also observed that many shops were under locks and keys as well as banks and other major outlets at FirstBank area in Alagbaka.
Security operatives were also sighted with patrol vehicles parked at strategic locations.
Navigating through S.O garage, normal activities were ongoing and passing through High Court road, many shops were locked as there is free movement of vehicles and residents. The presence of security operatives was sighted as well.
At the Investment area, security operatives were seen on the standby, with few business outlets opened in the area.
Getting to Akure Shopping Mall, heavy presence of security operatives were seen and normal activities were ongoing.
At the Governor’s Office in Alagbaka, security personnel were heavily present and no activity was going on. Also, vehicles entering the compound are critically inspected.
Our correspondent also visited Ijomu junction where few people were seen at a newspaper stand, conversing, as well the presence of security agents.
At the Akure market, only a number of shops were opposed and people were going about their normal activities.
Many shops were also shut down as well as banks at the Old garage in Akure. While at stadium junction, normal activities were ongoing with no rally or procession sighted.
Civil defence operatives were seen at Cathedral junction and there was a road diversion at the Area command junction.
On getting to the Road block junction, no gathering or rally was held as people about their daily activities without fear. Also, security operatives were on ground present with their patrol vehicle.
At Ibadan garage cited in Road block, normal activities were ongoing with no protester(s) sighted.
Some traders at Olukayode Complex spoke in an interview with Starnews NG bare their minds on the protest.
One of the traders who preferred anonymity said that they were open to business adding that no protest has been held so far.
“We heard that there would be priest and everywhere wa scanty. We confirmed from Lagos to know the situation of things and we decided to open because we were told that it would be a peaceful protest.
“We heard that Ondo state was exempted from the protein and that was why we opened. So we believe there is no protest in Akure.”
Chairman Olukayode Shopping Complex management, Akingbade Adesina said they felt reluctant to open the complex, fearing the protest might turn violence.
“We had a meeting and told the shop owners that we would only join a peaceful protest. We are not in support of violence and we have invited police to arrest suspected hoodlums around the complex”.
He noted that traders at the complex would only be willing to join a peaceful demonstration if invited by the organizers.
The #endbadgovernnce protests have reportedly turned violent in some parts of the country with security operatives firing teargas to disperse angry protesters.
Reports indicated that some states have refused to join the nationwide protests, even though economic activities are at lower ebb in those states.
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