Scores of aggrieved residents of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Wednesday staged a peaceful protest over shortage of new naira notes and fuel scarcity in the state.
The protesters, mainly youth, allegedly started the protest at Gerin Alimi and later spread to such areas like Oloje, Ogidi, Oja Oba and Eleko yangan, UITH, and some other roads in the state capital.
There were bonfires on most of the mentioned roads, a condition which resulted in vehicular gridlock.
The state Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, urged the people to remain calm, saying: “We’re in this together.”
Meanwhile the Kwara state Police command in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Okasanmi Ajayi stated that “Kwara State Police Command woke up to an unlawful burning of disused tires on some major roads in the Ilorin this morning, in spite of the earlier warning by the Command against such unwholesome behaviour by hoodlums in the wake of the Naira note swap.
“The situation has however been brought under control, and normalcy has already been established.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Police Command, CP Paul Odama, has ordered aggressive motorized and foot patrols of the metro.
“He advised parents and guidance to warn their children or wards to avoid being used as canon fodder by disgruntled political activists, as anyone arrested in the process of committing any crime, either as a result of the fuel or Naira challenges, would be made to face the consequences of such actions alone.
“Once again, the good people of Kwara State are advised to go about their lawful daily endeavors. Enough security arrangements have been placed across the length and breadth of Kwara State to ensure the safety and security of law-abiding citizens and residents.
“The five suspects already arrested in the course of the disturbances this morning would be charged in court.”
