Residents of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, have taken to the streets to voice their discontent over economic hardship and insecurity plaguing Nigeria.
Less than 12 hours after the police cautioned against the protest, citing concerns of potential hijacking by hoodlums, demonstrators flooded the streets with banners, placards, and chants condemning the government’s failure to improve living conditions.
Gathering at the Old Garage area, the protesters embarked on a march through key districts including Freedom Park, Orisunbare, Ola-Iya, Alekuwodo, and Oke-Fia, closely monitored by Nigerian Police operatives.
The protest’s leader, Comrade Waheed Lawal, criticized the government’s policies as detrimental to the populace, stressing the urgent need for reforms that prioritize citizens’ welfare.
Lawal emphasized, “Nigerians yearn for a peaceful environment devoid of the rampant insecurity that plagues our nation. The prevalent fear of kidnapping and violence undermines our daily lives, hindering even simple journeys from Osogbo to Ibadan.”
He continued, “The escalating abduction of monarchs reflects the dire state of our security. It’s imperative for the government to ensure the safety of lives and property. Any administration that neglects this fundamental duty ceases to fulfill its mandate.”
Lawal concluded by affirming the protesters’ determination to challenge governmental indifference, declaring, “We refuse to accept this enduring hardship as the new normal. Today marks the beginning of our resistance, and if the authorities fail to heed our demands, we will persist in mobilizing against this injustice. Enough is enough.”
