Protest: Tension as Ondo residents fear repeat of EndSARS saga

Residents of Ondo State have expressed apprehension over the nationwide protest slated for today, August 1.

Also, some traders have resolved that they will not open their shops for business in order not to be caught up in any unforeseen circumstance.

While monitoring the situation in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Newspot reports that there is slight movement of people.

According to a civil servant who gave her name as Funmbi Oladiran, “I don’t think that I’ll be going to the office.

“I don’t want the situation of the EndSARS protest to repeat itself. I was in town when the violence started, and I was stranded because I couldn’t get home.

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“I thank God that the children are now on holiday, and I can’t leave my children at home because nobody knows what will happen.”

Also, a trader at Arakale Road, Charles Ebuka, disclosed that a meeting had been held by traders to prevent the destruction of any of their goods.

“We will hang around our shops and observe the situation before anyone is allowed to open the shops.

“The protests are okay, but the problem is that some people with another motive will want to use them to attack other people’s businesses,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abayomi Oladipo, has assured residents of the state, as well as genuine protesters that adequate security will be provided to forestall any move by hoodlums to perpetrate breakdown of law and order.

“We are to ensure the EndSARS and Kenya experiences are not reenacted in this country. We will not allow the situation to descend into chaos. We will not allow public infrastructure to be destroyed.

“We are prepared to protect property and lives. If you have information about the activities of the fifth columnists, pass the information along so that we can respond to such a situation.

“There has not been any group or person who has indicated interest in participating in the protest in line with the virtual meeting with the IGP for them to state their route.

“Nigerians are advised to go about their normal business. We will not allow people to go and loot shops and business premises,” he warned.