Protest: Banks, schools, shops shut in Osun, Oyo

Commercial banks, schools, and shops in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, were shut owing to the ongoing nationwide protest on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Commercial banks, shopping malls, and major stores in Osogbo were under lock and key.

The ever-bubbling Osun Mall was also shut, while there was a heavy presence of security personnel, comprising the army, police, and NSCDC within the mall premises.

One of the security personnel, who spoke under anonymity, said the presence of security personnel at the mall was to prevent looting, as it occurred during the #EndSARS protest in 2020.

The popular Akindeko market, MDS shopping complex, and Orisunmbare market were also not open for business.

The state secretariat in Abere was also deserted, with a few workers at the premises.

Security personnel were also seen at some strategic locations within the state capital, while others were patrolling the major roads.

However, there were vehicular movements, while the environment was relatively peaceful.

The Osun State Government had, on Tuesday, July 30, directed all the primary and secondary schools across the state to proceed on vacation due to the nationwide protest.

Meanwhile, some protesters on Thursday staged a peaceful procession in some major motor parks in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Osun govt shuts schools over planned protest

The nationwide protest resulted in the closure of many shops in Ibadan, while major markets were closed and streets deserted in some areas.

At Iwo Road motor park, the protesters were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions, calling on the government to find urgent solution to the economic hardship in Nigeria.

The protest was carried out under the strict monitoring of a large number of security operatives.

A driver at the park, Wale Adegboyega, lamented that the few buses that came to the park could not get passengers.

This, he said, was due to the fear that the protest might be hijacked by hoodlums.

A few commercial and private vehicles were seen plying major roads in areas, including Orita-Challenge, Ring Road, Challenge, Mobil, Mokola, Apata, and Agodi-Gate.

Some Amotekun officers were also stationed at Egbeda junction, while police operatives were seen at the Ibadan-Ife tollgate and Brewery junction.

Most filling stations in Ibadan were also closed, while most offices, banks, and shops were under lock and key.

The Star