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The #Endbadgovernance protesters on Friday gathered in front of Gani Fawehunmi Park ,Ojota in Lagos State for the continuation of the much-publicised protests against hardship.
The protesters, who claimed to be concerned Nigerians, said that their position on the protest had not changed.
The groups, which had earlier refused to enter the park after staying on the ever busy Ojota-Ikorodu for about three hours, moved to the area at about 11.03 a.m.
The protesters had earlier claimed that there were agents around the park planning to attack them .
The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Area Commander F Ikeja, Mr Paul Okafor, who spoke on behalf of the security personnel at the park, assured the protesters of their safety.
“The police and other security here are deployed to give you protection.
“We are expecting the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, who will address you all when he comes.
“We urge all protesters to exercise their rights within the laws. Trouble makers are not welcome here.
“There was the other group who came before now trying to cause problem, I spoke to them and they left. Everything is okay,” he said.
The police, personnel of the Department of State Services, Civil Defence, Lagos State Taskforce, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps were on ground to provide security, while men of OP MESA,the military component of the state’s security architecture ,were seen patrolling the area.
A DJ was at the venue entertaining protesters with different rave songs.
Nationwide protest: Normalcy returns to Ikorodu
Normalcy has returned to Ikorodu town as trading activities and parties have resumed amid the ongoing 10-day nationwide hunger protest.
The usual hustling and bustling associated with the town and its commercial activities was evident with increased presence of traders and customers at Ladega and Sabo markets.
A trader at Ladega Market, Mr Simeon Anaboro, told NAN that peace and tranquility witnessed in the town on the first day of the protest encouraged businesses to resume trading activities.
“We came yesterday but we didn’t open our stalls because the hoodlums were loitering around.
“We were afraid of attacks and looting if violence broke out. Fortunately, the presence of security officials prevented the breakdown of law and order and this encouraged us to open today,” Anaboro said.
People elegantly dressed were observed around Etunweren, Lowa and Benson areas.
Upon enquiry, it was learnt that a remembrance and engagement party was holding there.
A septuagenarian, Alhaji Bilikis Anifowoshe, said that the 10th year remembrance celebration of the former traditional ruler of Ikorodu was being held.
“Initially, we thought it would be postponed because of the protest but since the town and Lagos State had enjoyed peace, the family decided to go ahead with the event,” she said.
The presence of vehicular activities and commuters also increased as more commercial buses, cabs, tricycles and motorcycles were witnessed on the roads.
At the interstate park at Ikorodu Garage, Mr Muri Agbabiaka LPtold NAN that there was an increased turnout of travelers to the south-west states compared to the previous day.
Security officials including the police, Nigeria Civil Defence and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps among other security officials were still present at the Ikorodu RoundAbout.