There was partial compliance in #Endbadgovernance protests in Delta South Senatorial District of Delta State yesterday as people went about their normal businesses without any harassment.
Except in Warri, Effurun and environment where there was no iota of any protest, same cannot be said of Ughelli, Sapele and Abraka where pockets of protests erupted at about 1 pm with bonfires on major roads within the towns.
In Warri, residents shunned the much anticipated nationwide protest and went about their legitimate businesses. Shops were opened for businesses, private and commercial vehicles were also on the roads while people moved freely from one place to the other.
Heavily armed security agents were stationed at the popular Effurun roundabout slated as a venue for protest to forestall possible breakdown of law and order.
Security operatives were also stationed at Enerhen junction, Airport junction, Jakpa junction, PTI Junction, DSC Roundabout and the Estate Roundabout and others.
Warri Area Commander of the Nigeria Police, Graham Imade, and an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) told Journalists at the Effurun Roundabout, that his personnel were deployed to ensure a peaceful protest and to boost the confidence of the people.
“We are here to ensure there is peace. We are all aware that there is scheduled peaceful protest across the country. I am personally on ground at the Effurun Roundabout where is designated as the major place for the protest.
“We are also going round the entire Warri city, for now, Warri is peaceful. We have also done Police deployment to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order”, he said.
ACP Imade advised the people to go about their normal businesses assuring that his personnel were on ground to give them confidence and ensure there is peace in the entire Warri.
The Commanding Officer (CO), 3 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Effurun, Major Augustine Ohegbe was also sited with his troops monitoring the situation on ground.
Beyond being on ground, the Nigerian Army also flew drones and patrolled the entire Warri and environs to ensure there was peace and residents went about their normal businesses.
Also speaking, Mr Kelvin Ejimudo, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR), Delta State chapter, thanked the youth for listening to the voice of reasoning and shelved the protest.
“It is not a win for the government but for the people. That the youth have decided to sheath their sword is for the government to go back to the drawing board and do the needful.
“People are hungry, the inflation rate is biting on everybody. Very soon children will resume schools. This is the time for government to invite stakeholders and discuss how to resolve the economic hardship,” he said.
Sylvester Idowu
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