On Monday, residents of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, took to the streets to voice their grievances over skyrocketing food prices, warning that if President Bola Tinubu remains in office, half of Nigerians could face starvation.
Protestors gathered around the Mokola region, brandishing banners emblazoned with powerful messages such as ‘End Food Price Hikes and Inflation,’ ‘The Hungry Masses Cry Out,’ and ‘Tinubu, Honor Your Promises,’ among others.
Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, a visible presence of armed police officers monitored the scene closely.
This heightened security follows a stern warning from the State Police Command issued the day prior, asserting a zero-tolerance stance towards any disturbances during public protests.
The outcry in Oyo State echoes similar sentiments expressed in Kano State, Niger State, and various other regions across Nigeria, all grappling with economic challenges stemming from the removal of petrol subsidies, food inflation, and the overall high cost of living.
