FILE PHOTO: Protest in Warri over fuel, naira scarcity. Photo: Dele Ogunyemi
Soldiers of the Nigerian Army on Wednesday dispersed protesters who had set up roadblocks along the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway. The demonstrators, who began blocking the expressway around 9 a.m., claimed they were protesting the scarcity of naira notes.
Our correspondent, who passed the scene, observed blockades at Iwo Road, Oremeji, Olorunsogo, Academy and Soka junctions. The protesters turned motorists heading toward Lagos and those traveling inward to Ibadan back, and they set fires at each junction on the newly constructed expressway, halting commercial activities.
Speaking to our correspondent, commercial driver Dapo Adebayo called the demonstration “a waste of time.” He said, “This is not what they should have done. We are just affecting ourselves because we are the ones using the road. How can you be burning tires on the road? They want to spoil the road that is still undergoing construction. Instead of this, they should all go to Abuja to meet Buhari and stop disturbing those of us trying to make a living with our little change.”
Another motorist, who identified himself as Saheed, added, “I know they are fighting for what is right, but this is not the way it should go. You can’t be damaging things because you are angry. It is wrong.”
After more than seven hours, soldiers arrived at each junction around 4:20 p.m., dispersed the protesters and cleared the routes for motorists.
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