Two killed as protests erupt in Lagos, Ogun

Two killed as protests erupt in Lagos, Ogun

Two persons, including a commercial bus driver, were on Friday killed at Mowe-Ibafo and many others injured after violent protests erupted in parts of Lagos and Ogun States.

The protests, which started at Ojota/Mile 12 Area of Lagos State as a result of lingering cash crunch escalated to Ikorodu, Iyana-Ipaja, Epe, Ketu, Agege, Idimu and Egbeda areas of Lagos State with hoodlums blocking the roads, creating bornfires and vandalising properties.

The Mile 12 violence was said to have erupted after traders rejected old naira notes from customers in disregard of the ruling by the Supreme Court that the old notes remained legal tender pending hearing of the case filed by some states against the federal government.

Frustrated by the rejection of the old naira notes, protesters blocked the entire expressway and in no time, the situation became riotous as hoodlums started attacking road users, vandalising vehicles and other properties.

“We have money but we cannot spend it. The government and politicians have everything at their disposal while we the poor people are going through hell,” the protesters lamented.

Many people were said to have sustained injuries in the ensuing chaos as they scampered to safety.

At Epe, hoodlums who took advantage of the civil unrest created by unavailability of cash, attacked commercial banks forcing operations to be suspended.

In Ogun State, protesters blocked the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway around Ibafo axis, bringing vehicular movements to a halt.

Chanting anti-Buhari songs, the protesters armed with clubs pelted stones at security operatives lamenting the hardship they had gone through these past weeks.

The attack on the operatives led to a shootout which left two persons killed.

Market woman at Sango-Ota also joined the protest , urging the government to take steps to end the untold hardship on citizens.

It took the deployment of reinforcement teams comprising anti riot policeman and soldiers who fired teargas and warning shots to restore calm in all affected areas. 

Reacting to the uprisings, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone II, Abiodun Alabi, said security has been reinforced across both states, adding that all financial institutions were being surveyed to prevent attacks.

He said it was the fundamental right of the people to protest and express their displeasure over situations that are unfavourable but warned that no form of violence, breakdown of law and order would be tolerated.

Alabi assured that the Zonal Intervention Squad (ZIS) of the command would continue to comb border communities of Lagos and Ogun States to prevent criminals from striking.