Lagos State that’s known as the business centre of Nigeria, on Thursday, recorded a low business patronage.
In most areas, Lagosians had their shops shut in the morning as panic grew of what the day would be like as result of the protest.
From Ikorodu to Ketu, most commercial banks were shut, while eateries had their doors closed. Though vehicular movement was not interrupted by the protesters, yet, markets like the popular Mile 12 markets recorded a low patronage in the morning.
At Ojota, protesters gathered at the Freedom park, singing and displaying play cards of different inscriptions. The protesters occupied a lane on the BRT track.
Though they allowed free movement of the BRT buses, in the afternoon, the buses were ordered to withdraw from carrying passengers when their lanes were blocked at Ojota.
Speaking to our correspondent, Barrister George, who led some protesters to the venue claimed the police on ground refused them access to Freedom park.
He said: ” When we approached them to open the park for us to make use of the space, they refused. And since they have refused to allow us enter, we shall remain on this part of the ain road to display our anger against the hardship in the country.
“Nigerians are hungry, and the regime of TINUBU seems to be unconcerned,” he added.
Passengers from Oshodi to other areas had to board commercial buses to their destinations as the BRT parks at Oshodi was scanty of the buses.
One of the ticketers at the park, who spoke under anonymity to our correspondent, said the state government ordered them to close for the day in order to avoid being attacked by the protesters.
While the Oshodi market was opened for business, the patronage was on a low ebb. Some market women were seeing discussing the effect of the protest as there much onlookers than buyers
At Ikeja under bridge to Computer Village where protesters gathered in the morning before moving to Freedom park at Ojota, one of their leaders, Comrade Deklan spoke with Journalists, claiming the protest would continue on Friday.
Protesters were seeing in numbers at Alausa area, protesting peacefully. A police officer at the Police Divisional Headquarters in Alausa, Adeojo Akeem addressed them and implored the protesters to maintain peace and order while carrying out the right to protest.
In Lekki area of the state, there was a light protest but it wasn’t as significant as it was during the last #ENDSARS protest of 2020. Also at Sango Otta, a few protesters occupied a small market at Oju Ore.
One of their leaders, John Olaide was seeing directing the protesters using a megaphone, while other were chanting anti government songs and calling on the Federal Government to reverse some its policies like the removal of subsidy which they claimed it introduction had caused hardship on Nigerians.
In areas like Oko Oba in Agege and Abule Egba, residents were on the streets to carry out their daily business.
A few people gathered under the bridge at Pencinema discussing but later left when some police officers came to disperse them.
